[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 36 (Wednesday, February 25, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8608-8609]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-4041]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 6532]


Meeting of the Joint Forum on Environmental Technical Cooperation 
(``Joint Forum'') Pursuant to the United States--Jordan Joint Statement 
on Environmental Technical Cooperation

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Department of State is providing notice that, as set forth 
in paragraph three of the United States-Jordan Joint Statement on 
Environmental Technical Cooperation (``Joint Statement''), the U.S. and 
Jordan will hold a meeting of the Joint Forum on Environmental and 
Technical Cooperation (``Joint Forum'') in Amman, Jordan, on March 3, 
2009, at the Sheraton Amman Al Nabil Hotel & Towers, 5th Circle, P.O. 
Box 840064, Amman 11184. See below under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for 
additional details on the purpose of the meeting. During the meeting, 
the U.S. and Jordan will present information on cooperative 
environmental work they are undertaking pursuant to the Joint 
Statement, and will formally review and adopt a new 2008-2011 Work 
Program for implementing the Joint Statement. The entire meeting will 
be open to the public. The meeting will be conducted in English, and 
there will be no Arabic translation.
    The Department of State invites agencies, organizations, and 
members of the public to submit written comments or suggestions 
regarding agenda items. The Department of State also invites comment on 
the draft 2008-2011 Work Program. In preparing such comments or 
suggestions, we encourage submitters to refer to: (1) The U.S.-Jordan 
Joint Statement on Environmental Technical Cooperation, (2) the draft 
2008-2011 Work Program Pursuant to the U.S.-Jordan Joint Statement on 
Environmental Cooperation, (3) the Plan of Action: U.S.-Jordan Joint 
Forum on Environmental Technical Cooperation, (4) Article 5 
(Environment) of the Agreement Between the U.S. and the Hashemite 
Kingdom of Jordan on the Establishment of a Free Trade Area and (5) the 
Environmental Review of the FTA, which are all available at: http://www.state.gov/g/oes/env/trade/.

DATES: To be assured of timely consideration, all written comments or 
suggestions are requested no later than February 26, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Written comments or suggestions should be e-mailed 
([email protected]) or faxed ((202) 647-5947) to Dao Do, U.S. 
Department of State, Bureau of Oceans, Environment, and Science, Office 
of Environmental Policy, with the subject line ``U.S.-Jordan Joint 
Forum Meeting.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Dao Do, telephone (202) 647-6777.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In Paragraph 3 of the U.S.-Jordan Joint 
Statement on Environmental Technical Cooperation, the United States and 
Jordan establish a Joint Forum on Environmental and Technical 
Cooperation that will meet regularly. The mandate of the Joint Forum is 
to advance environmental protection in Jordan by developing 
environmental technical cooperation initiatives, which take into 
account environmental priorities, and which are agreed to by the two 
Governments. In paragraph 4, the Countries identify an initial focus of 
technical cooperation on Jordanian environmental quality issues and the 
development and effective implementation of Jordanian environmental 
laws, as defined in Articles 5.4 and 18.2(a) of the FTA.
    The first Plan of Action focused on implementing a strategic vision 
for the Ministry of Environment in Jordan, established in 2002, to 
promote sustainable economic growth and development. The plan outlined 
activities to, among other things, strengthen the Jordanian Ministry of 
Environment's capacity for setting, implementing, and ensuring 
compliance with environmental standards; harness market forces to 
protect the environment while bringing economic benefits; undertake 
industrial wastewater treatment and hazardous waste management for a 
target region; seek out economic benefits of ecotourism; and promote 
development of a regional network of environmental lawmakers and 
enforcement officials.
    The new Work Program for 2008-2011 identifies long-term goals to 
achieve (1) Compliance with obligations in Article 5 (Environment) of 
the Agreement Between the U.S. and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on 
the Establishment of a Free Trade Area; (2) Improved protection and 
conservation of the environment, including natural resources; (3) 
Transparency and meaningful public participation in environmental 
decision-making; and (4) A culture of environmental protection and 
compliance with environmental laws through, among other things, the 
promotion of economic opportunities; voluntary measures to enhance 
environmental performance; and job creation. The new Work Program 
specifies cooperative activities in four main priority areas which 
reflect the ``Selected Environmental Technical Cooperation Programs'' 
listed in the Annex to the October 24, 2000 Joint Statement. These 
areas include institutional and policy strengthening; biodiversity 
conservation and improved management of protected areas; improved 
private sector environmental performance; and environmental education, 
transparency, and public participation in environmental decision-making 
and enforcement.
    At the Joint Forum, U.S. and Jordanian officials will present 
information on cooperative environmental work they are

[[Page 8609]]

undertaking pursuant to the Joint Statement, and will formally review 
and adopt a new 2008-2011 Work Program for implementing the Joint 
Statement. The entire meeting will be open to the public. The meeting 
will be conducted in English, and there will be no Arabic translation.
    Please refer to the State Department Web site at http://www.state.gov/g/oes/env/.

    Dated: February 12, 2009.
Daniel T. Fantozzi,
Director, Office of Environmental Policy, Department of State.
[FR Doc. E9-4041 Filed 2-24-09; 8:45 am]
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