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Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky Ambassador to Singapore Frank Lavin Assistant Secretary John Turner Acting Assistant Secretary Don Keyser Principal Deputy Assistant Secretaries Bud Rock and Randall Schriver Lead Negotiator of the U.S.-Singapore FTA Ralph Ives Friends and colleagues It is my pleasure to sign the Memorandum of Intent on Environmental Cooperation on behalf of the Environment Ministry in Singapore today. The Memorandum is a direct outcome of the US-Singapore Free Trade Agreement, signed between President George Bush and Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong about a month ago, on 6 May 2003 and which would soon be submitted to Congress for approval. Under the Free Trade Agreement, the US and Singapore have committed to pursue cooperative activities to protect and enhance the environment. This memorandum elaborates on the areas for cooperation and outlines the way forward to put plan into action. Environmental cooperation between the US and Singapore is not new. For the past 10 years, Singapore and the US have worked closely on training and capacity building programs related to the environment, at both bilateral and regional levels, under the US-Asia Environmental Partnership (US-AEP) Programme. This Memorandum marks another milestone in our close relations. It signifies our countries' recognition of the importance and the need to strengthen capacity to protect the environment. It is a shared commitment to promote sustainable development in tandem with growing trade and investment flows. For a small city state like Singapore, sound and responsible environmental management is of paramount importance. Over the last 30 years since our independence, we have developed a strong environmental regime even as the economy followed the trajectory of rapid growth. This stems from a firm belief that the objectives of environmental protection and economic development are equally important and in fact, can be mutually reinforcing. Our environmental agencies and economic development and promotion agencies collaborate closely under a four-pronged strategy to pursue our environment goals. These are: a. prevention and reduction of pollution through proper planning and the adoption of control measures; b. strict and prompt enforcement action against offenders; c. regular monitoring to maintain standards and finally; d. through public education to heighten awareness on the importance of protecting the environment. Our efforts have paid off. Today, Singaporeans enjoy a quality of life that is comparable with developed countries. The levels of pollutants in our ambient air are within the WHO and USEPA standards. Inland waters support aquatic life and coastal waters meet recreational water standards. Potable water whose quality is well within WHO drinking water guidelines is supplied to all parts of Singapore. At the bilateral and regional levels, Singapore also plays its part as an environmentally responsible member of the international community. Our officials participate actively in forums at the United Nations, within ASEAN and others to exchange, develop and contribute expertise on environmental issues. In fact, Singapore is already a signatory of 9 different multilateral environmental agreements (MEA) including the Montreal Protocol, the CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora as well as the Basel Convention On The Control Of Transboundary Movements Of Hazardous Wastes And Their Disposal. This Memorandum of Intent of bilateral cooperation in the environment builds on our respective international and regional obligations. It emphasizes the key areas of mutual interest, spanning a broad range of activities including water management and recycling; minimising environmental pollution; as well as the detection and control of illegal trade in endangered species. In the course of the Government to Government cooperation, both sides will also harness the active energies of corporate entities and non-government organisations in providing views and recommendations on the implementation. Singapore believes that it is only through the collective effort and joint ownership of the environment by all three sectors, the Public, the Private and the People sectors that we can create an enduring and sustainable environment in tandem with social and economic progress. Finally, on this happy occasion, let me put on record my Government's appreciation to all who worked hard to make this Memorandum possible; and to the guests present today for taking time to witness the signing. I look forward to the enhanced partnership under the Memorandum. It is my honour to endorse this document which I believe is of great importance to my country, my people and generations to come. Thank you. |