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[Federal Register: May 6, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 87)]
[Notices]               
[Page 25032-25033]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06my10-118]                         

[[Page 25032]]

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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice: 6986]

 
Biennial Review of the Progress of Cooperation Under the United 
States-Singapore Memorandum of Intent on Cooperation in Environmental 
Matters and Suggestions for 2011-2012 U.S.-Singapore Plan of Action for 
Environmental Cooperation

ACTION: Notice of a meeting for the Biennial Review of the progress of 
cooperation under the U.S.-Singapore Memorandum of Intent on 
Cooperation on Environmental Matters and solicitation of suggestions 
for the 2011-2012 U.S.-Singapore Plan of Action for Environmental 
Cooperation.

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SUMMARY: The Department of State is providing notice that the United 
States and Singapore intend to hold a Biennial Review of the progress 
of cooperation under the U.S.-Singapore Memorandum of Intent on 
Cooperation on Environmental Matters (MOI) in Washington, DC, on May 
13, 2010. This biennial meeting to review the status of cooperation is 
consistent with the intent of the two Governments as set forth in 
Section 3 of the MOI. A public information session will be held on May 
13th, at 1:30 p.m., in room 1105 at the U.S. Department of State, 2201 
C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20520. If you would like to attend the 
session, please send the following information to Jacqueline Tront at 
the fax number or e-mail address listed below under the heading 
ADDRESSES: (1) Your name, (2) your date of birth, and (3) the number of 
a valid identification card that a government has issued to you.
    The purpose of the Biennial Review is detailed below under 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
    The meeting agenda will include an overview of progress in 
implementing selected projects under the 2008-2010 Plan of Action 
pursuant to the MOI, and the presentation of a new MOI Plan of Action. 
The Department of State invites interested organizations and members of 
the public to submit written comments or suggestions regarding agenda 
items and to attend the public session.
    Pursuant to the MOI, the United States and Singapore will discuss 
and agree upon the 2011-2012 Plan of Action for Environmental 
Cooperation. The Department of State is soliciting ideas and 
suggestions for environmental cooperation projects between the United 
States and Singapore. The MOI outlines broad areas for environmental 
cooperation with the objective of ``identify[ing] environmental issues 
of mutual interest to the two governments, and establishing a mechanism 
through which the two governments can pursue cooperative environmental 
efforts in those areas.'' In addition, in the Environment Chapter of 
the U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (FTA) (Chapter 18), ``[t]he 
Parties recognize the importance of strengthening capacity to protect 
the environment and to promote sustainable development in concert with 
strengthening of trade and investment relations between them. The 
Parties shall, as appropriate, pursue cooperative environmental 
activities, including those pertinent to trade and investment and to 
strengthening environmental performance * * * under a Memorandum of 
Intent on Cooperation in Environmental Matters. During 2011-2012, the 
United States and Singapore intend to continue to build upon the 
cooperative work initiated in the 2008-2010 Plan of Action, and to 
continue to follow up on the themes reflected in the Environment 
Chapter of the FTA.
    The Department of State invites government agencies and the public, 
including NGOs, educational institutions, private sector enterprises 
and other interested persons, to submit written comments or suggestions 
regarding items for the Plan of Action and implementation of 
environmental cooperation activities. In preparing such comments or 
suggestions, we encourage submitters to refer to: (1) The U.S.-
Singapore MOI, (2) the U.S.-Singapore 2008-2010 Plan of Action on 
Environmental Cooperation, (3) the U.S.-Singapore FTA Environment 
Chapter, and (4) the Environmental Review of the FTA. (Documents are 
available at: http://www.state.gov/g/oes/env/trade/singapore/index.htm).

DATES: The meeting is to be held: May 13, 2010, 1:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., 
Washington, DC.
    To be assured of timely consideration, comments are requested no 
later than May 10, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Written comments or suggestions should be submitted to: 
Jacqueline Tront, Office of Environmental Policy, Bureau of Oceans, 
International Environmental, and Scientific Affairs, U.S. Department of 
State, by electronic mail at trontjm@state.gov with the subject line 
``U.S.-Singapore Biennial Review'' or by fax to (202) 647-5947. If you 
have access to the Internet you can view this Notice and make comments 
by going to http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#home.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Jacqueline Tront, Telephone (202) 
647-4750.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In Section 3 of the U.S.-Singapore MOI, the 
Governments stated that they plan to meet biennially to review the 
status of cooperation under the MOI and to develop and update, as 
appropriate, a Plan of Action for Environmental Cooperation. The Plan 
of Action is a tool which identifies and outlines agreed upon 
environmental cooperation priorities, on-going efforts and 
possibilities for future cooperation. The United States-Singapore FTA 
entered into force on January 1, 2004. Chapter 18 of the FTA committed 
the Parties to entering into a Memorandum of Intent on Cooperation in 
Environmental Matters (MOI) and to pursue cooperative environmental 
activities, including those pertinent to trade and investment and to 
strengthening environmental performance, such as information reporting, 
enforcement capacity, and environmental management systems. The last 
Biennial Review was held on October 10, 2008 in Singapore. The Parties 
discussed implementation of the 2005-2007 Plan of Action, and 
elaboration of the 2008-2010 Plan of Action. Regional environmental 
initiatives, ``green'' technologies, and reducing air and water 
pollution were high on the list of future activities discussed during 
the 2008 Biennial review and TRAFFIC described its work in the Region 
to combat illegal wildlife trafficking and logging.
    At the upcoming Biennial Review in Washington, DC on May 13, 2010, 
the Parties will receive reports on progress of implementing the 2008-
2010 Plan of Action and review and approve the 2011-2012 Plan of 
Action. The Parties will also consider recommendations for future 
bilateral cooperation during the Biennial Review.
    The mutually identified goals of cooperation under the 2008 to 2010 
Plan of Action are: (1) Encouraging the bilateral and regional use of 
innovative and climate-friendly environmental technology and pollution 
management techniques; (2) participating in regional initiatives on 
environmentally sustainable cities and sustainable management and trade 
in sustainably managed resources; and (3) further improving capacity to 
implement and enforce environmental laws, including further enhancing 
efforts of countries in the region to combat illegal trade in 
environmentally sensitive goods through bilateral and regional 
cooperative activities. We anticipate continuing to work to achieve 
these goals in the 2011 to 2012 plan and are seeking ideas and 
suggestions for activities that can be included in the Plan of Action 
consistent with them.

[[Page 25033]]

    Ongoing environmental cooperation work includes: Participation in 
regional workshops to combat illegal trade in environmentally sensitive 
goods, technical exchanges on water systems and water pollution 
management, participation in regional initiatives on sustainable 
management and trade in sustainably managed resources, promotion of 
energy efficiency projects and partnerships, cooperating through the 
Pacific Ports Initiative and combining efforts under the Sustainable 
Cities Program. The listed activities and additional cooperative 
activities were outlined in previous Environmental Cooperation Action 
Plans and discussed during previous Biennial Review meetings. 
Additional information can be found on the website listed above.
    In carrying out this cooperative work, the United States and 
Singapore intend to explore the development of partnerships with 
private sector and civil society organizations, to build upon and 
complement ongoing bilateral cooperative work in other fora, and to 
explore opportunities for mutual collaboration in these priority areas 
with other countries in the region.
    Disclaimer: This Public Notice is a request for comments and 
suggestions, and is not a request for applications. No granting or 
money is directly associated with this request for suggestions for the 
2011-2012 Plan of Action. There is no expectation of resources or 
funding associated with any comments or suggestions provided for the 
2011-2012 Plan of Action.

    Dated: April 23, 2010.
Willem H. Brakel,
Director, Office of Environmental Policy, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2010-10724 Filed 5-5-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-09-P
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