Desiring to promote cooperation between their two countries, including cooperation in regional activities, in the field of environmental protection and the sustainable use of natural resources;

Emphasizing the importance of protecting the environment in concert with strengthening trade and investment relations as reflected in the United States - Singapore Free Trade Agreement, and in concert with other mechanisms for cooperation between their countries;

Believing that the United States and Singapore play an important role in the Asia region for environmental activity; and

Intending to create opportunities for cooperation on issues of mutual interest including the areas set out in this Memorandum of Intent,

Have reached the following understanding:

Section 1

The Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Singapore affirm their intent to cooperate jointly in the field of environmental protection and the sustainable use of natural resources. The objective of this Memorandum of Intent, hereinafter the “Memorandum,” is to identify environmental issues of mutual interest to the two governments, and to establish a mechanism through which the two governments can pursue cooperative efforts in those areas.

Section 2

a. Strengthening cooperative relationships so as to build institutional capacity to promote environmental management, including through compliance, enforcement, and performance;

b. Exchanging information on environmental best practices of industry, including the application of cleaner processes and technologies and sustainable production practices;

c. Exploring possible avenues for technological cooperation, including research and development and facilitating the transfer of new technologies on mutually agreed terms;

d. Promoting improved environmental protection, including natural resources, through such mechanisms as: incentives for conserving, restoring, or enhancing the environment; energy efficiency and renewable energy; public/private partnerships; endangered species conservation; improved natural resource management; and environmental education.

Section 3

In preparing the Plan of Action, the following forms of cooperation may be considered:

a. Exchange of professionals, technicians, and specialists, including study visits, to promote the development of environmental policies and standards;

b. Organization of joint conferences, seminars, workshops, meetings, training sessions and outreach and education programs;

c. Support for collaboration projects and demonstrations, including joint research projects, studies and reports;

d. Facilitation of linkages among representatives from academia, industry, and government to promote the exchange of best practices and environmental information and data likely to be of interest to the two governments;

e. Sharing information on national environmental programs subject to the respective government’s laws and regulations; and

f. Such other forms of environmental cooperation as the two governments may deem appropriate.

Section 5

All cooperative activities under this Memorandum are subject to the availability of funds and to the applicable laws and regulations of their respective countries.

Section 6

Each government intends to take appropriate steps, where possible, to assist the other government in meeting requirements for the entry of equipment and personnel related to this Memorandum into its territory, subject to its laws and regulations.

Section 7

The two governments intend that all non-proprietary technical information obtained through the implementation of this Memorandum would be available to both governments to the extent permissible under their respective laws and regulations.

Section 8