| Media Note Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC March 9, 2007 United States and Brazil Advance Cooperation on BiofuelsSecretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim today signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to advance cooperation on biofuels. The purpose of the MOU is to highlight the importance of biofuels as a transformative force in the region to diversify energy supplies, bolster economic growth, advance sustainable development, and protect the environment. The MOU highlights the intention of the United States and Brazil, the world's two largest producers of ethanol, to cooperate on biofuels. Bilaterally, the United States and Brazil intend to advance the research and development of biofuels technology leveraging existing scientific, environmental, agricultural, and commercial dialogues. Regionally, the two countries intend to bring the benefits of biofuels to third countries aimed at stimulating private sector investment for local production and consumption of biofuels. The United States and Brazil recognized the support of partner institutions including the Inter-American Development Bank, the UN Foundation, and Organization of the American States. The United States and Brazil will work together multilaterally through the International Biofuels Forum (IBF), announced on March 2, and complementary international fora, such as the G8-endorsed Global Bio-Energy Partnership. The MOU does not involve discussion of domestic trade, tariffs, or quotas. 2007/175
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