[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 180 (Friday, September 18, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 47915]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-22586]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE


Department of Commerce: National Webinar for Industry on Climate 
Change Negotiations Under the United Nations Framework Convention on 
Climate Change (UNFCCC)

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) will host a Webinar 
(online presentations and audio conference) for industry participants 
on September 22, 2009. Participants will learn from U.S. government 
officials about the status of current negotiations and hear about key 
issues for U.S. industry, as well as potential commercial 
opportunities. The Webinar will also allow private sector stakeholders, 
particularly industry and trade associations, to advise U.S. officials 
on the impact a new UNFCCC agreement could have on their respective 
operations and on associated commercial opportunities.

DATES: September 22, 2009.

ADDRESSES: To participate in the Webinar, please contact Frank Caliva, 
Office of Energy & Environmental Industries, International Trade 
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Ave., 
NW., Room 4053, Washington, DC 20230; 202-482-8245; 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Participation

    Any private sector participant may register to attend; the number 
of call-in lines is limited and available on a first-come, first-serve 
basis. Please contact Frank Caliva, Office of Energy & Environmental 
Industries, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, at 202-482-8245 or [email protected] to register and 
receive call-in and log-on instruction.
    The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change--The 
UNFCCC was signed in 1992 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and entered into 
force on March 21, 1994. Currently, 193 states have ratified the 
Convention, including the United States. The treaty requires national 
inventories of greenhouse gas emissions from developed countries, and 
encourages national action to stem greenhouse gas emissions and slow 
climate change. Developed nations also pledge to share technology and 
resources with developing nations.
    Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on 
Climate Change--The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in December 1997, 
entered into force on February 16, 2005, and has been ratified by 188 
countries and the European Community. While the United States signed 
the document, the U.S. Senate has never ratified the treaty. The Kyoto 
Protocol sets binding emissions targets for 37 industrialized 
countries, includes mechanisms for measuring and reporting emissions, 
and provides for financing and technology assistance to developing 
countries. The commitment period specified in the Protocol will expire 
at the end of 2012.
    Current UNFCCC Negotiations--Negotiations under the UNFCCC are 
underway to formulate a successor agreement to the Kyoto Protocol. The 
discussions have the goal of concluding an agreement in Copenhagen this 
December. Potential impacts on U.S. industrial competitiveness will be 
discussed during the upcoming webinar including technology transfer, 
intellectual property, financing, and related commercial opportunities.

 Cheryl McQueen,
Acting Director, Office of Energy and Environmental Industries, U.S. 
Department of Commerce.
[FR Doc. E9-22586 Filed 9-17-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P