Montreal, 17/06/1999 – The Council of the Commission for Environmental
Cooperation (CEC), the Montreal-based body born of the NAFTA environmental side agreement,
will meet in Banff next week. The three members of the governing body, the environment
ministers for Canada, Mexico and the United States, are all expected to attend.
Christine Stewart, Canadian Minister of Environment, will host her counterparts, Carol
M. Browner, Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and Julia
Carabias, Mexico's Minister of Environment, Natural Resources and Fisheries. Issues
under discussion will include environmental priorities and international commitments in
light of emerging trends, priority actions that build from trilateral efforts on the sound
management of chemicals, accomplishments in biodiversity protection, and environmental
sustainability in open markets, among others. The meeting will comprise several in-camera
sessions of the Council, a public session and, in conjunction with a regular session of
the Joint Public Advisory Committee, a round table on CEC program initiatives.
The CEC, which is funded jointly by the three countries, facilitates cooperation on
regional environmental concerns, addresses environment-related trade issues and promotes
effective enforcement of environmental law in North America. Its Council has met at least
once a year, since the CEC's creation in 1994, to discuss and direct the
environmental body's programs and activities.
Where: Rimrock Hotel, Mountain Avenue, Banff, Alberta
When:
Official Opening Sunday, 27 June 7:00 pm
Public Meeting Monday, 28 June 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Press Briefing Monday, 28 June 2:45 pm - 3:15 pm
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