U.S. - THAILAND AGREEMENT IN THE AREA OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
On Thursday, October 28, 1999, the United States and Thailand signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) regarding environmental cooperation between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (MOSTE). The MOU lays the foundation for a five-year framework for cooperation that takes a view towards long-term institution-building. U.S. EPA Assistant Administrator William Nitze and MOSTE Minister Dr. Arthit Ourairat signed the MOU at the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment.
Under the MOU, each year a program plan will be developed to meet the priority needs of MOSTE. The plan will include training, information sharing and joint-research activities that will cover such important areas as air pollution, water quality management, chemical and waste management, environmental impact assessment and environmental enforcement activities.
During the first year, joint programs planned include water quality management modeling, training on efficient management of environmental impact assessments, and training on how to gather evidence for effective enforcement of environmental cases against polluters, among other programs.
Thailand Links
- Ministry of Science Technology and Environment
- Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning
- Department of Environmental Quality Promotion
- U.S. Embassy in Thailand
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION The Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) of the United States of America (EPA) and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment of Thailand(MOSTE), hereinafter referred to as the "Parties," have agreed as follows: Article I: Purpose This Agreement provides a framework for technical cooperation between the Parties for the protection of the environment. Through this Agreement, EPA shall provide technical services in the field of environmental protection and shall undertake such other cooperation activities with MOSTE in the field of Environmental Protection as the Parties may agree upon. Article II: Scope of Work
Article III: Funding
Article IV: Management
Article V: Relationship to Other Agreements Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prejudice other existing or future agreements concluded between agencies of the Government of the United States of America and MOSTE. Article VI: Entry Into Force, Amendment and Termination This Agreement shall enter into force on the date of the last signature hereinafter, shall remain in force for five years, and may be extended or amended by written agreement of the Parties. The Agreement may be terminated by either Party upon six months written notice to the other Party. Unless otherwise agreed, the termination of the Agreement shall not affect the validity or duration of activities undertaken pursuant to this Agreement and initiated prior to such termination. Article VII: Liability MOSTE agrees to assist in defending against any suit brought against the United States Government, and/or any instrumentality, officer, employee, contractor, servant or assignee of the United States Government, arising out of or related to activities undertaken pursuant to this Agreement. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being duly authorized, have signed this Agreement in duplicate on the 28th of October, 1999.
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