| Media Note Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC March 4, 2008 U.S.-Brazil Steering Group and Advisory Board Meet to Advance Cooperation on BiofuelsThe U.S.-Brazil Biofuels Steering Group and Advisory Board met March 3 in Washington, DC to advance cooperation of the U.S.-Brazil Memorandum of Understanding on Biofuels Cooperation. The goal of this partnership is to catalyze the use of biofuels in the region and beyond – diversifying energy supplies, democratizing energy markets, bolstering economic prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic, Energy, and Agricultural Affairs, Reuben Jeffery III, and Brazilian Undersecretary-General of Political Affairs, Ambassador Everton Vargas chaired the meeting.
U.S. and Brazilian officials were joined by ministerial delegations from the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, and St. Kitts and Nevis: the four initial target countries where the United States and Brazil are promoting the sustainable development of biofuels for domestic consumption. Also participating were the Advisory Board, comprised of U.S. and Brazilian industry leaders and partner institutions represented by the President of the Inter-American Development Bank, Luis Alberto Moreno, the Secretary General of the Organization of American States, José Miguel Insulza, and United Nations Foundation Vice President Melinda Kimble. U.S. and Brazilian consultants presented the results of technical missions to the four target countries, where more than 30 feasibility studies and technical assistance projects were identified. Working with funding partners, the partnership has committed funds to eight initial projects with a view to fund as many projects as possible. Consultants have also completed land use assessments in three target countries and identified biofuels research opportunities that will assist the governments to develop local capacity for biofuels production for domestic consumption. The U.S. and Brazilian governments are discussing expanding cooperation to a second tranche of target countries. Bilaterally, to advance next generation biofuels feedstock, production, and distribution, Brazilian and U.S. scientists are jointly identifying areas of R&D cooperation. Brazilian scientists visited the U.S. Departments of Energy and Agriculture’s renewable energy labs in September 2007 and identified several areas of possible cooperation. A team of U.S. scientists will travel to Brazil for a reciprocal visit in the spring of 2008 to finalize a list of priority research areas and provide a work plan for future collaboration. Additionally, U.S. and Brazilian governments are exploring university faculty and graduate student exchanges in the area of biofuels. Globally, to advance the commoditization of biofuels, the U.S., Brazil, and European Commission (EC), working through the International Biofuels Forum (IBF), fast-tracked a process with their respective standards organizations improving the compatibility of bioethanol and biodiesel standards and codes. An important milestone was achieved in January 2008 where the collective standards organizations identified compatibility results and recommendations. Next steps include evaluation of the work done to date with the other members of the IBF (China, India, South Africa); further work toward harmonizing testing methods; and more closely aligning standards, subject to further consultations with industry. Results from this collaborative effort are summarized in at http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/biofuels_report_fact_sheet.pdf and http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/biofuels_report.pdf. The United States and Brazil reiterated the high priority both governments attach to advancing the biofuels partnership and other areas of international cooperation, and welcomed the Advisory Board’s input. The officials and advisors applauded the commitment from all governments to invest in the sustainable development of biofuels to help reduce dependency on imported fuels, and promote economic and social development. These accomplishments help to fulfill the vision of President Lula and President Bush to catalyze biofuels production and use in the region and beyond. 2008/156 |
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