Joint Statement of the U.S.-Russian Inter-Ministerial Climate Change Policy Dialogue

"The United States and the Russian Federation agree to broaden their global climate change cooperation by promoting a Climate Change Policy Dialogue to intensify and strengthen their efforts, including through a Climate Change Working Group to facilitate the Dialogue process.

This Dialogue will involve various ministries and agencies of the two Parties that are already actively engaged in the issue.

Through this Dialogue the United States and the Russian Federation seek to:

• Discuss and exchange information related to climate change policy and related scientific, technological, socioeconomic, and legal issues of mutual concern and interest.

• Explore possible common approaches to addressing climate change issues before the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and other relevant international fora.

• Identify and encourage needed climate change science and technology research that is or could be performed individually or jointly by United States and Russian departments, agencies, ministries, and scientific institutions.

• Benefit from and complement other established bilateral activities between the two countries.

The United States and the Russian Federation also agree to cooperate closely in preparing for the World Conference on Climate Change to be held in Moscow in 2003.

The initial meeting of the Climate Change Working Group will be coordinated by Dr. Harlan Watson, U.S. Department of State Senior Climate Negotiator and Special Representative, and by Dr. A.I. Bedritsky, Head of the Federal Service of Russia for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring."