Federal Register: December 15, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 240)
DOCID: fr15de10-133 FR Doc 2010-31504
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
State Department
NOTICE: NOTICES
DOCID: fr15de10-133
ACTION: Meetings:
DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice of the meeting of the U.S.-Oman Joint Forum on Environmental Cooperation and request for comments.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Meeting of the United States-Oman Joint Forum on Environmental Cooperation Pursuant to the United States-Oman Memorandum of Understanding on Environmental Cooperation
DATES: The U.S. and Oman will hold the Joint Forum meeting on January 9, 2011, in Muscat, Oman. If you are interested
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in attending, please email Abby Lindsay at LindsayA@state.gov for the
specific time and place. To ensure timely consideration, please submit
comments and suggestions in writing no later than January 3, 2011.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
The Department of State is providing notice that the United
States and Oman intend to hold a meeting of the U.S.Oman Joint Forum
on Environmental Cooperation (``Joint Forum'') in Muscat, Oman, on
January 9, 2011, at a venue to be announced. The Governments created
the Joint Forum in connection with the U.S.Oman Memorandum of
Understanding on Environmental Cooperation (``MOU''). If you are interested in attending, please email Abby Lindsay at
LindsayA@state.gov for the specific time and place. See below under
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for additional details on the background and purpose of the meeting.
During the meeting, the U.S. and Oman will present a brief history of U.S.Oman environmental cooperation, a review of activities under the 20062008 Work Program, presentations on selected activities, and presentation and signature of the 20112014 Plan of Action. The entire meeting will be open to the public and include public question and answer sessions. The Department of State invites interested organizations and members of the public to submit written comments or suggestions regarding items to include on the agenda and to attend the meeting.
In preparing comments, we encourage submitters to refer to the following documents:
These documents are available at: http://www.state.gov/g/oes/env/ trade/oman/index.htm.
SUMMARY:
United States–Oman Joint Forum on Environmental Cooperation
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
In Section 2 of the U.S.-Oman Memorandum of Understanding on Environmental Cooperation, the United States and Oman announced the establishment of a Joint Forum on Environmental Cooperation. The mandate of the Joint Forum is to broaden and deepen effective cooperation on environmental issues between Oman and the United States. It was intended provide a venue for the two Governments to discuss ways in which they could work together to strengthen the capacity of Oman to protect and conserve the environment. The Joint Forum is expected to develop a Plan of Action towards meeting this goal.
The 20062008 Work Program identified priorities for environmental cooperation between the United States and Oman, with the goal of building human and institutional capacity in the management and conservation of natural resources. The priorities were: (a) Environmental laws and regulations, (b) Environmental impact assessments, (c) Environmental incentives, (d) Public participation in environmental protection, (e) Integrated water resources management and protection, (f) Coastal protection and preservation of marine resources, (g) Protected area management and conservation of flora and fauna, (h) Cleaner production and environmental technology, (i) Chemical hazardous waste management and disposal, and (j) Environmental disaster preparedness. Some indicative actions the U.S. and Oman have undertaken in these areas include workshops on environmental impact assessment, a regional workshop for CITES Management Authorities, and a course on public participation in environmental law. Ongoing work includes technical assistance to Oman on marine turtle conservation and cooperation on sustainable tourism in protected areas. The Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, the United States Coast Guard, and others have been involved in implementing these activities. Officials from U.S. and Omani agencies will present and discuss their activities at the Joint Forum meeting.
In the 20112014 Plan of Action, we seek to build upon the progress
made in the previous Work Program and anticipate defining four main
priority areas for cooperation activities: Institutional and policy
strengthening for effective implementation and enforcement of
environmental laws, including natural resourcerelated laws;
Biodiversity conservation and improved management of protected areas,
and other ecologically important ecosystems; Improved private sector
environmental performance; and Environmental education, transparency
and public participation in environmental decisionmaking and
enforcement. At the meeting, the Joint Forum will review cooperation
activities and the two Governments are expected to sign the new Plan of Action.
Dated: December 9, 2010.
Willem H. Brakel,
Director, Office of Environmental Policy, Department of State. [FR Doc. 201031504 Filed 121410; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 471009P
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Abby Lindsay, Telephone (202) 647- 8772.