WASHINGTON, USA – The United States and Chile held the ninth meeting of the Environmental Affairs Council (EAC) on August 22-23, 2022 under the United States-Chile Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the seventh meeting of the Joint Commission for Environmental Cooperation (JCEC) under the United States-Chile Environmental Cooperation Agreement (ECA).
The EAC, chaired by assistant United States Trade Representative for Environment and Natural Resources Kelly Milton, reviewed progress made by Chile and the United States in ensuring effective implementation of, and compliance with, the obligations in the Environment Chapter of the FTA. The JCEC, chaired by Department of State Assistant Secretary Monica Medina, discussed future cooperation under the Seventh Work Program for Environmental Cooperation for 2021-2024, which establishes a robust list of priorities for cooperative activities between the Parties.
The United States and Chile exchanged information and views regarding efforts to tackle the climate crisis; strengthen ocean conservation, including through combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, the recently concluded WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement, and enhance management of marine and coastal protected areas; circular economy approaches, including waste management and plastic pollution; and combating wildlife trafficking and supporting implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
The public session on August 23 included wide participation from diverse sectors of civil society and business. The public session reflects both countries’ commitment to maintaining an open dialogue and participatory process. Both Parties provided updates regarding implementation of the Environment Chapter and ongoing and future environmental cooperation under the ECA. The session provided an opportunity for members of the public to offer comments and ask questions, both in person and online.
The Joint Communique is available here.
Meanwhile, United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai and United States Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo today announced that they will co-host an Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) Ministerial in Los Angeles, California on September 8-9, 2022.
The first in-person Ministerial builds on the constructive virtual meetings with 13 Indo-Pacific partners held this year before and after President Biden officially launched the IPEF to develop a high-standard and inclusive economic framework that will fuel economic activity and investment, promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth, and benefit workers and consumers across the region.
During the Ministerial, ambassador Tai and Secretary Raimondo will convene meetings with ministers to continue active discussions in each of the four pillars: trade; supply chains; clean energy, decarbonization, and infrastructure; and tax and anti-corruption.
Ambassador Tai and Secretary Raimondo recently held a virtual Ministerial in July, which reaffirmed their collective goal to pursue ongoing and intensified engagements with IPEF partner countries. They held the first virtual Ministerial in May shortly after the official launch in Japan. Ambassador Tai also held an informal meeting of IPEF partners’ ministers in June.
