[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 61 (Thursday, March 28, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21488-21490]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-06508]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[Docket No. ITA-2024-0002]
X-RIN 0625-A-001


Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity Clean Economy 
Investor Forum Solicitation of Applications for Participation

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice and request for applications.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The International Trade Administration (ITA) seeks 
applications for the Department to consider recommending to the 
Government of Singapore (Singapore) for participation in the Indo-
Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) Clean Economy Investor 
Forum (Forum) hosted by Singapore on June 5-6, 2024. The Forum was 
announced on November 16, 2023, in the Joint Statement following an 
IPEF Ministerial meeting. The Forum participants will help advance the 
climate objectives of the proposed IPEF Clean Economy Agreement by 
helping facilitate investments in climate-related projects in the Indo-
Pacific region. ITA is seeking applications from the U.S. private 
sector for ITA to consider recommending to Singapore.

DATES: The IPEF Clean Economy Investor Forum will take place on 
Thursday and Friday, June 5-6, 2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ava Jamerson, Policy Advisor, Office 
of the Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, 1401 
Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230; email: 
[email protected]; telephone: 202.823.0686. For additional 
information about IPEF, please visit: https://www.commerce.gov/ipef. 
You can find the latest information about the Clean Economy Pillar at: 
https://www.commerce.gov/ipef/pillar-iii and at https://www.commerce.gov/sites/default/files/2023-11/US-Factsheet-SF-Pillar-III.pdf.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Content

I. Background
II. Criteria
III. Request for Nominations

I. Background

    In May 2022, the United States launched the Indo-Pacific Economic 
Framework for Prosperity. IPEF is part of the Biden Administration's

[[Page 21489]]

commitment to strengthening ties with allies and partners and tackling 
21st Century economic challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.
    IPEF seeks to advance resilience, sustainability, inclusiveness, 
economic growth, fairness, and competitiveness for the 14 IPEF partner 
economies--Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, 
Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, 
Thailand, the United States, and Vietnam. IPEF also will provide 
tangible benefits that fuel economic activity and investment, promote 
sustainable and inclusive economic growth, and benefit workers and 
consumers across the region.
    The IPEF partners are launching the inaugural IPEF Clean Economy 
Investor Forum to catalyze investment for sustainable infrastructure 
and climate technology across IPEF economies to advance the goals of 
the proposed Clean Economy Agreement, which includes increasing 
investment flows and financing for climate-related infrastructure, 
technologies, and projects in the region. The proposed Clean Economy 
Agreement outlines collaboration through a convening of private and 
institutional investors to facilitate business matching and 
investments, as well as sharing expertise and good practices on scaling 
up clean technology and infrastructure investments.
    The Forum is being hosted by Singapore on June 5-6, 2024, and will 
be attended by Secretary Raimondo and her counterparts from the 13 
other IPEF partner countries. Its purpose is to convene a diverse set 
of stakeholders from across the United States and the Indo-Pacific 
region to gain market insights, make industry and government contacts, 
solidify business strategies, and identify funding for specific 
projects to advance the goals of the proposed Clean Economy Agreement.
    The Forum will focus on the markets of the 14 partner economies 
that are actively engaging in the proposed Clean Economy Agreement, 
with a particular focus on emerging economies. The scope of climate 
issues in which the Forum seeks to facilitate trade and investment will 
be informed by issues covered in the proposed Clean Economy Agreement, 
including efforts towards energy security and transition, climate 
resilience and adaptation, and greenhouse gas emissions mitigation.
    The International Trade Administration seeks applications from the 
U.S. private sector to be recommended as participants in the Forum, 
including but not limited to investors, companies, and non-profits. 
Each country will be asked to put forward individuals from their 
countries' private sectors to participate in the Forum for 
consideration by Singapore. Singapore will ultimately select who to 
invite to the Forum.

II. Criteria

    Singapore expects to invite approximately 20-50 participants from 
the U.S. private sector, at its discretion. ITA is seeking applications 
from the U.S. private sector, which it will consider based on the below 
criteria. Through this process, ITA will prepare recommendations for 
final approval by the Department and then share with Singapore for 
Singapore's consideration and decision. ITA is primarily focused on 
senior executives from organizations including investors, companies, 
and/or non-profits.
    Interested companies should submit their applications for immediate 
consideration to the International Trade Administration at 
[email protected] by or before 5:00 p.m. EST on April 9, 
2024. The following criteria will be used to identify prospective 
participants. These participants will be considered through a holistic 
analysis and are not required to meet each element listed below:
    (1) Level of executive representation;
    (2) Consistency of the applicant's goals and objectives with the 
stated scope of the Forum;
    (3) Alignment with the proposed Clean Economy Agreement objectives;
    (4) Focus on IPEF markets, such as experience or demonstrated 
interest in investing in the region in the next 18 months in one or 
more IPEF markets;
    (5) Ability to fulfill and support the objectives of the Forum 
(e.g., significant funds and/or assets to support the types of projects 
envisioned); and
    (6) Headquarters in the United States.
    The Department may consider other information as it deems relevant.
    Please do not send company or organization brochures.
    Applications received after April 9, 2024, will be considered only 
if space and scheduling constraints permit and if Singapore continues 
to accept recommendations.
    Applicants selected to be recommended to Singapore will be 
notified.

III. Request for Applications

    To be considered, all applications should include the following 
information, as applicable:
    (1) Organization Name;
    (2) U.S. State of Incorporation;
    (3) Corporate Headquarters;
    (4) Principal Place of Business;
    (5) Main Address (Street Address, City, State, and Zip Code);
    (6) List of Subsidiary or Affiliate Offices in Asia;
    (7) Industry Area(s);
    (8) Main Products and/or Services;
    (9) A brief (up to one page) Statement of Interest explaining (1) 
your organization's goals and qualifications for attending the Forum, 
and (2) how your organization's work can support the clean energy 
transition, climate resilience and adaptation, and greenhouse gas 
emissions mitigation;
    (10) Name, title, work email, phone number, and biography of your 
Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Investment Officer, or other 
senior executive who would represent the organization at the Forum;
    (11) Name, title, work email, and phone number of the main working-
level point of contact that will facilitate the senior executive's 
participation in the Forum; and
    (12) Name, title, work email, and phone number of one optional 
accompanying staff person.

Privacy Act Statement

    The collection, maintenance, and disclosure of this information is 
governed by the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a). The Department of 
Commerce is authorized to collect this information pursuant to 
authorities that include but are not limited to: 15 U.S.C. 1512. The 
principal purposes for which the Department will use the information is 
to assist in selecting the U.S. representatives to recommend to 
Singapore to participate in the Forum. Information received will be 
maintained in COMMERCE/DEPT-23, Information Collected Electronically in 
Connection with Department of Commerce Activities and Programs. One of 
the routine uses for this information includes providing it to other 
registrants, including the Government of Singapore, to facilitate 
company/organization matchmaking (Routine Use 1). A complete set of 
routine disclosures is included in the system of records notice, 
published both in the Federal Register and on the Department's website 
at: https://www.commerce.gov/opog/privacy/system-records-notice. 
Disclosing this information to the Department of Commerce is voluntary. 
However, if you do not provide this information, or only provide part 
of the information requested, you may not be considered for selection 
as U.S. representatives to the Forum.
    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 1512.


[[Page 21490]]


    Dated: March 22, 2024.
Diane Farrell,
Deputy Under Secretary for International Trade.
[FR Doc. 2024-06508 Filed 3-27-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-25-P