Montreal, 30/10/2002 – Mr. Jon Plaut, chair of the Joint Public Advisory Committee (JPAC) of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) of North America for the year 2002, presided over a public workshop on freshwater issues in North America and JPAC Regular Session 02-03 on 3-4 October 2002, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Freshwater Issues in North America
A public workshop on freshwater issues in North America was organized in collaboration with the Law and Policy program area of the CEC. A draft concept paper outlining a long-term vision for the CEC and options for action were reviewed, including recommendations for Council, which is composed of the environment ministers of North America.
Presentations by representatives from each country were followed by a review of the concept paper and options by the study team. Public comments were substantive and varied. These comments will be used to inform and guide revisions of the paper, to be reissued for further public comment in mid-November. A final text will then be developed and submitted to Council
in mid-February 2003.
JPAC also developed an Advice to Council, "The CEC and the Management of Freshwater in North America," recommending both long- and short-term actions.
Proposed Program Plan and Budget for 2003-2005
JPAC held a plenary discussion on the proposed program plan and budget for 2003-2005. The CEC's acting executive director and director of programs attended the session and contributed greatly to the dialogue. Based on the fulsome discussion, JPAC developed an Advice to Council providing both general and specific recommendations.
Other matters
Regarding past JPAC Advice to Council and letters concerning NAAEC Articles 14 and 15 and the Tenth Anniversary of NAFTA and the CEC, a letter was transmitted to JPAC during the meeting from the US chair of the Alternate Representatives, stating, "The Parties are still in the process of exchanging views on the issues JPAC has raised in Advice 01-09, 02-03, 02-04, 02-08, and 02-09 and related correspondence, and a response is forthcoming."
A reception was held to commemorate the life and contributions of the late John Wirth, which was attended by his wife and family members. The heartfelt comments were greatly appreciated.
Next JPAC Meeting
JPAC's next regular session will be held on 9-10 December 2002, in Monterrey, Mexico, in conjunction with a CEC public workshop Investing in North America's Future: Innovative Financing for Sustainable Development.
The CEC and JPAC
The CEC was established by Canada, Mexico and the United States to build cooperation among the North American Free Trade Agreement partners in implementing the North American 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 NAFTA countries, and is responsible for providing advice to the CEC Council on any matter within the scope of NAAEC.
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