Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs
Mission Statement: We advance sustainable development internationally through leadership in oceans, environment, science and health.
The Bureau of Oceans, Environment, and Science (OES) promotes transformational diplomacy through advancing environmental stewardship, encouraging economic growth, and promoting social development around the globe to foster a safer, more secure and hopeful world.
Nearly 200 employees further these goals through programs and activities concerning infectious diseases, biodiversity, climate change, access to water and energy, ocean and polar affairs, science and technology cooperation, management of toxic chemicals, environmental components of trade agreements, and the exploration of space. In addition, the Bureau represents the United States at major international negotiations. Together, these activities demonstrate the Bureau's commitment to policies that make concrete improvements in people's lives.
The Oceans and Fisheries Directorate has two offices dedicated to international oceans issues. The Office of Marine Conservation has primary responsibility for the international conservation and management of living marine resources, including efforts to manage shared commercial fisheries on a sustainable basis and to reduce impacts of fishing on protected species and vulnerable marine ecosystems. The Office of Ocean and Polar Affairs has primary responsibility for international ocean law and policy, marine pollution, marine mammals, polar affairs, maritime boundaries, and marine science.
The Environment Directorate deals with a broad range of global issues related to protecting the environment and conserving natural resources. The Office of Environmental Policy coordinates U.S. approaches to transboundary air quality issues, safeguarding the stratospheric ozone layer and environmentally sound chemicals management. The office also handles environmental aspects of free trade agreements and environmental issues in multilateral organizations such as the U.N. Environment Program and in international financial institutions. The Office of Ecology and Natural Resource Conservation coordinates U.S. approaches to international wildlife and forest issues, including partnership in the global Coalition Against Wildlife Trafficking, the U.S. Initiative Against Illegal Logging, the Congo Basin Forest Partnership and the Liberia Forest Initiative. The office also handles issues related to the conservation of coral reefs, wetlands and drylands, access to genetic resources, and control of invasive species. Taking the lead on climate change issues, including polices and partnerships that span a wide range of initiatives, is the Office of Global Climate Change.
The Health, Space and Science Directorate includes the Office of International Health and Biodefense which works with U.S. Government agencies to facilitate policy-making regarding infectious disease, surveillance and response, environmental health, and health in post-conflict situations. The Office of Space and Advanced Technology handles issues arising from our exploration of space to assure global security regarding this new frontier, and the Office of Science & Technology (S&T) Cooperation promotes the interests of the U.S. science and technology communities in the international policy arena, negotiates framework and other S&T agreements, manages the Department's Embassy Science fellows program, and takes a leading role in representing U.S. science and technology in multilateral international organizations, such as UNESCO and other UN organizations, APEC, OECD, and others.
White House Climate Releases (Aug. 10):
North American Leaders Summit: Energy Deliverables
North American Leaders' Declaration on Climate Change and Clean Energy
Infectious Diseases
Secretary Clinton (July 28): "Today, we’ll be discussing how we can work together to combat infectious diseases, help some of the word’s poorest countries, and improve the functioning and transparency of energy markets that obviously undergird much of the world’s economy." -Full Text
U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue, July 27-28, 2009
-Secretary Clinton's Remarks at the Signing Ceremony for the Memorandum of Understanding to Enhance Cooperation in Climate Change Energy, and the Environment (July 28) -Full Text
-Teleconference: U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue
Special Envoy Stern (July 27): "There was substantial focus on climate change and clean energy. President Obama singled out these issues as a priority for the U.S.-China bilateral relationship this morning." -Remarks
-Joint Press Release on the First Round of the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue
-Memorandum of Understanding on Enhancing Cooperation on Climate Change, Energy and the Environment
-U.S.-Canada Joint Expedition to Survey the Extended Continental Shelf in the Arctic (July 28)
U.S.-India Cooperation
Secretary Clinton and Indian Minister of External Affairs S. M. Krishna signed an agreement jointly creating a $30 million endowment to be used for joint research and development, innovation, entrepreneurial, and commercialization activities in science and technology. U.S. – India Agreements and Achievements | U.S. – India Joint Statement (July 20)
-Statement of the U.S. Delegation on Hydrofluorcarbons (July 16)
Climate Change is One of the Defining Challenges of our Time
President Obama (July 9): "I don't think I have to emphasize that climate change is one of the defining challenges of our time. The science is clear and conclusive, and the impacts can no longer be ignored. Ice sheets are melting. Sea levels are rising. Our oceans are becoming more acidic. And we've already seen its effects on weather patterns, our food and water sources, our health and our habitats. Every nation on this planet is at risk, and just as no one nation is responsible for climate change, no one nation can address it alone. " -Full Text
-Briefing by Special Envoy on Climate Change
-Fact Sheet: Meeting the International Clean Energy and Climate Change Challenges
-Declaration of the Leaders the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate
-Dipnote Blog: Conserving Indonesia’s Tropical Forests (July 6)
-Largest TFCA Debt-for-Nature Agreement Signed to Conserve Indonesia's Tropical Forests (June 30)
-U.S. signs International Renewable Energy Agency Statute (June 29)
-Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act Congressional Report, June 2009
-Chairs' Summary: Third Preparatory Meeting of the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate (June 23)
100th Anniversary of the Boundary Waters Treaty
Secretary Clinton (June 13): "The Canadian-American border is such a precious reflection of our great relationship, and it reminds us that although we may salute different flags, hear beautifully sung different anthems, our nations grew from the same land and the same ideals. It falls to us as it falls to every generation to strengthen that partnership and friendship." -Full Text
-Press Conference
-Second Preparatory Meeting of the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate Chairs’ Summary
-Chairman's Summary from the First Preparatory Meeting of the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate
-Press Conference Call with Senior U.S. Climate Change Officials
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