U.S., Australia Sign Statement on Environmental Cooperation

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The Governments of the United States of America and Australia today signed in Washington a Joint Statement on Environmental Cooperation.

The Joint Statement acknowledges the two countries’ many shared environmental priorities and challenges, including improving air and water quality, protecting their natural resources and biodiversity, better understanding climate change, mitigating the effect of chemicals on the environment, and protecting the marine environment.

The Statement strengthens the Governments’ commitments to address environmental issues through knowledge sharing and cooperation. It also expresses the desire of the United States and Australia to continue cooperative efforts and to strengthen their ties in regional and international forums in which environmental issues are considered, including the United Nations and WTO.

Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs, Paula Dobriansky signed the statement on behalf of the United States. Australian Trade Minister Mark Vaile signed for his government. Vaile and Dobriansky signed the Statement, which is associated with the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement, during Vaile’s visit to sign that Agreement.

Attached is a copy of the joint statement.

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