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Regional Environmental Hub Program Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs U.S. Department of State

Around the world, countries are facing new and growing environmental challenges, many of which require regional cooperation to solve. Bringing nations together in a region to work on a common environmental problem -- a common threat -- can advance US interests in ways which go far beyond the scope of the environmental issue itself. The Department's commitment to a regional strategy complements our bilateral and multilateral diplomatic environmental efforts.

In an effort to address transboundary environmental issues, the Department established regional environmental Hubs, located in designated embassies around the world. The Hubs are predicated on the idea that transboundary environmental problems can best be addressed through regional cooperation. The regional environmental officer's role will complement the traditional bilateral Environment Science and Technology officers stationed in embassies around the world. Rather than dealing with a single country on environmental issues, regional environmental officers will look at transboundary issues from a region-wide perspective. Hub officers will engage with several countries of the region on a particular issue, with the aim of promoting regional environmental cooperation, sharing of environmental data, and adoption of environmentally sound policies that will benefit all countries in the region.

The Hubs work closely with other USG agencies to support their efforts by raising key issues at the diplomatic level, and with non-governmental organizations on environmental activities within their region.

Hub Locations and Responsibilities

• Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (East African Hub)
  Desertification and regional water management issues

• Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire (West and Central African Hub)
  Sustainable management of tropical forests and wildlife, desertification, and pollution issues

• Amman, Jordan (Middle Eastern Hub)
  Regional cooperation on water resources and protection of the Gulf of Aqaba as part of the Middle East Peace Process

• Bangkok, Thailand (Southeastern Hub)
  Sustainable management of forest and biodiversity resources

• Brasilia, Brazil (South American Hub)
  Deforestation and biodiversity loss in the Amazon basin and urban pollution problems

• Copenhagen, Denmark (Baltic and Nordic States Hub)
  Cooperation on environmental and science and technology issues and the Department's Northeastern European Initiative

• Gaborone, Botswana (Southern Africa)
  Coordinate US-SADC environmental and health issues

• Kathmandu, Nepal (South Asian Hub)
  Promotion of regional cooperation on alternative energy, water sharing, and environmental disaster preparedness

• San Jose, Costa Rica (Central American and Caribbean Hub)
  Loss of forests and coastal zone management

• Tashkent, Uzbekistan (Central Asian Hub)
  Cooperation on water related problems in the Aral Sea Basin

Regional Environmental Officers

Contact List

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