| Montreal, 6/08/2002 – Responding to strong public interest, the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) will organize, in cooperation with the Joint Public Advisory Committee (JPAC), a public workshop on freshwater issues in North America that will take place on 3 October in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The main objective of this meeting is to review a draft concept paper outlining a long-term vision for the CEC in this important area, including a presentation of options and recommendations for Council (composed of the environment ministers of North America) developed by a group of experts. At the end of the day, JPAC will discuss potential advice to provide to Council on this issue.
On 4 October at the same location, JPAC will hold its regular session 02-03, including a plenary session on the draft CEC 2003-2005 Program Plan and Budget. In the afternoon, the public can attend JPAC's discussions on this potential advice to Council and its consideration of administrative matters. This last portion of the meeting will provide the public opportunities to observe and to make comments.
Registration
Please click here for the preliminary agenda for the Public Workshop on Freshwater Issues in North America or the preliminary agenda for the JPAC regular session 02-03. Once registered, participants will receive the draft concept paper on freshwater issues in North America and the draft CEC 2003-2005 Program Plan and Budget prior to the meetings. However, if you cannot attend these meetings, we will be pleased to send you a copy of these documents. You may also send in comments before 1 October 2002.
Registration is free and on a first-come, first-served basis. To confirm your attendance at these meetings, please complete the registration form or send an e-mail to Jocelyne Morin at <jmorin@ccemtl.org>, including your name, title, organization, address, phone and fax numbers and e-mail address or complete and return the registration form that you will find on the web site.
Limited Financial Assistance
Limited financial assistance is available for not-for-profit organizations and individuals who preregister. Please complete the appropriate section of the registration form. The deadline to submit a request for financial assistance is before 5 September 2002.
The CEC was established by Canada, Mexico and the United States to build cooperation among the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners in implementing of the North America Agreement for Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC), the environmental side accord to NAFTA. The CEC addresses environmental issues of continental concern, with particular attention to the environmental challenges and opportunities presented by continent-wide free trade.
JPAC is composed of fifteen members, five from each of the three countries, who are appointed by their respective governments. It acts as a single, transnational body. Its members act independently and their responsibility is to provide the Council with their advice on all matters within the scope of NAAEC.
For more information on these meetings, please contact:
Manon Pepin
JPAC Liaison Officer
E-mail: mpepin@ccemtl.org
Timothy Whitehouse
Head, Law and Policy Program
E-mail: twhitehouse@ccemtl.org
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