Speeches

Letter of Intent (LOI) between US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Singapore Institute of Environmental Science & Engineering (IESE)

Remarks by Ambassador Franklin L. Lavin at the Signing Ceremony 
(As Prepared for Delivery)

May 20, 2004

Insert Caption

Thank you for those remarks Dr. Su.  Minister Lim, my colleagues from the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Coast Guard, distinguished guests, friends, I am very happy to be here to sign this letter of Intent on Environmental Technology Verification between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Singapore Institute of Environmental Science & Engineering.

This Letter of Intent will help us develop testing protocols and verify the performance of innovative technologies that have the potential to protect human health and the environment.

We have all heard of instances where a company installs a product, only to discover that it does not perform as advertised. Or, maybe the product faults are never discovered, and the company believes that the “pure air filter” just bought is actually working.

This LOI will help us avoid such pitfalls. Since 1995, the US EPA has verified more than 200 environmental technologies and developed more than 70 protocols. We are very pleased to be able to work with the IESE and bring this effort to Singapore.

This Letter of Intent is significant in other ways as well. This verification program will draw increased international attention to the work being done here in Singapore to develop and implement new environmental technology.

Second, this Letter of Intent is the first concrete activity under the Memorandum of Understanding on Environmental Cooperation in the U.S.–Singapore Free Trade Agreement, signed one year ago. As such, it highlights the economic impact of environmental concerns and how working together to advance innovative technologies can expand trade and investment opportunities.

Environmental issues occasionally surface during Free Trade discussions, spurred by concern that economic growth is inimical to environmental stewardship. The experience of the U.S. and Singapore, however, remind us that prosperous economies are better equipped to safeguard their environments than those still struggling with basic economic necessities.

Both our countries have reaped the benefits of understanding that environmental protection can cut economic costs and health costs of pollution. For example, over the last 30 years, the United States’ economy grew 164 percent, but our energy consumption increased only 42 percent, just slightly more than our population growth of 39 percent. The strides made in energy efficiency have made an enormous contribution to sound environmental management.

Singapore’s record is no less impressive. Both countries are committed to protecting the environment, and both countries are helped along that path by successful economies. These gains would not have been possible without the benefits of more advanced environmental technologies.

Ladies and gentlemen, the United States is glad to join Singapore in signing this Letter of Intent. It not only signifies an intention to cooperate for the common good, but it is a recognition of a shared vision as well. Thank you.