Joint Media release
Minister for Trade, Mark Vaile
Australian Minister for the Environment and Heritage Dr David
Kemp
18 May 2004
New Era for United States and Australia Environmental Cooperation
The Governments of the United States of America and Australia signed in Washington today an historic Joint Statement on Environmental Cooperation.
The Joint Statement acknowledges the two countries’ many shared environmental priorities and challenges, including improving air and water quality, protecting their natural resources and biodiversity, better understanding climate change, mitigating the effect of chemicals on the environment, and protecting the marine environment.
The Statement strengthens the Governments’ commitments to knowledge sharing and cooperation in addressing environmental issues. It also expresses the desire of the United States and Australia to continue cooperative efforts and to strengthen their ties in regional and international forums in which environmental issues are considered, including the United Nations and WTO.
Signing on behalf of the Australian Government, Trade Minister Mark Vaile said the Statement reflected deep levels of cooperation between Australia and the United States.
“The relationship between the United States and Australia is as close as it’s ever been. At a time when we are embarking on a ground-breaking Free Trade Agreement that will benefit current and future generations of both countries enormously, it is appropriate to formalise our strong cooperation towards sustaining and protecting our environment,” Mr Vaile said.
“Our increased cooperation better equips our two countries to develop new technologies and to implement world-leading approaches to addressing environmental issues – both now and in the future,” he said.
Mr Vaile and US Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky signed the Statement during Mr Vaile’s visit to sign the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement. While the Joint Statement is not a part of the legal text of the Agreement, it does formalise the good work that Australia and the United States already do together through the United Nations, international conventions, and with other countries.
Media Contact:
Minister Vaile’s Office: Matthew Doman (ministerial) 02 6277 7420 - Nicole Guihot (departmental) 02 6261 1555
Minister Kemp’s Office: Mitch Catlin 03 9656 8333