FTA Joint Forum on Environmental Cooperation Results in

UNCLAS AMMAN 000758 SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ELA, NEA/RA, AND OES STATE PASS TO USAID EPA FOR INTERNATIONAL/MEDEARIS USDA FOR FOREST SERVICE/INTERNATIONAL INTERIOR FOR INTERNATIONAL/WASHBURNE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV PGOV ECON ECON MU BA MO JO SUBJECT: FTA Joint Forum on Environmental Cooperation Results in Comprehensive Two-year Bilateral Work Plan ¶1. Summary: On March 3, the U.S. and Jordan held the third Joint Forum on Environmental Cooperation under the U.S.-Jordan Free Trade Agreement (FTA). U.S. and Jordanian representatives highlighted examples of the two countries' continuous cooperation and commitment to strengthen Jordan's environmental management capacity and support economic development. One key deliverable was the signing of a Work Program that outlines areas for bilateral environmental collaboration through 2011. Activities aim to enhance environmental enforcement, strengthen biodiversity protection, increase private sector environmental performance, and increase environmental outreach. The media provided excellent coverage of the event, in which approximately 50 stakeholders from the private sector and civil society participated as part of the public consultation process. End Summary. ¶2. Jordanian representatives from the Ministry of Environment and the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature met March 3 in Amman with U.S. officials from the State Department, USAID, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of the Interior for the third U.S.-Jordan FTA Joint Environmental Forum. Approximately 50 stakeholders from the private sector and civil society also attended, as well as participants from FTA partners Morocco, Bahrain, and Oman, which all seek to replicate the forum process in their countries. Both the U.S. and Jordanian representatives highlighted examples of the strong and successful bilateral cooperation programs that have enhanced environmental protection in Jordan, including: institutional strengthening for the Ministry of Environment, enhanced environmental enforcement capacity for the Royal Rangers (formerly the Environmental Rangers), increased waste-water use in industry, biodiversity protection, development of eco-tourism, and increased environmental outreach. ¶3. Minister of Environment Khaled Irani and Ocean Environment and Science (OES) Deputy Assistant Secretary Dan Reifsnyder signed the 2009-2011 Work Program (essentially a road map for bilateral environmental cooperation) pursuant to the U.S.-Jordan Joint Statement on Environmental Technical Cooperation. Additionally, as part of the public consultation process for the Work Program, Forum participants held a robust discussion its various elements which focus on four priority areas: institutional and policy strengthening for effective implementation and enforcement of environmental laws; biodiversity conservation and improved management of protected areas; improved private sector environmental performance; and environmental education, transparency, and public participation in decision-making and enforcement. ¶4. After the signing, a joint communique was released reaffirming the strong commitment of the United States and Jordan to cooperate on protecting Jordan's environment and improving the management of natural resources. The communique also reiterated that economic growth and environmental protection are mutually supportive. ¶5. Media coverage of the Forum, which was open to the public, was extensive and positive. All national media outlets and international wire services gave prominent, primetime treatment of the event, describing the signing of the Work Program. DAS Reifsnyder, quoted by print and radio outlets, emphasized U.S. support for Jordan's efforts to improve enforcement of environmental laws, as well as for the exchange of experts and for encouraging citizen participation in environmental decision-making. Visit Amman's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman BEECROFT