Joint Statement on the Signing of a Memorandum of Intent between the United States and the Republic of Singapore on Cooperation in Environmental Matters

June 13, 2003

The United States and the Republic of Singapore today signed a Memorandum of Intent on Cooperation in Environmental Matters as a further confirmation of the close bilateral relations between the two countries. Paula Dobriansky, Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs, and Chan Heng Chee, the Ambassador of the Republic of Singapore to the United States, signed the Memorandum in Washington, D.C. on behalf of the two governments.

The Memorandum, which is associated with the environment chapter of the recently signed United States-Singapore Free Trade Agreement, encourages bilateral cooperation in environmental protection. It also reflects both countries’ commitment to enhance their capacities to protect the environment and promote sustainable development in concert with the strengthening of bilateral trade and investment relations.

The Memorandum will provide a framework for the two countries to cooperate in promoting sustainable environmental policies, practices and measures in support of sustainable development. Bilateral cooperative activities envisaged include technical information sharing, exchange of experts, capacity-building training, and joint research projects. Possible areas of cooperation are expected to include improvements in energy efficiency; natural resource management; endangered species conservation; public/private partnerships; and environmental education.

Under the Memorandum, the United States and Singapore also intend to cooperate on activities aimed at promoting regional exchange of information on environmental best practices, and capacity building for third countries in Asia.

Both the U.S. and Singapore agree that the conclusion of the Memorandum of Intent will further reinforce bilateral relations and provide an additional means to benefit from each other’s experiences in environmental protection.”