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U.S., Brazil To Cooperate on Climate Change

The United States and Brazil announced their intention to improve scientific and technological cooperation in order to address global climate change.

According to a joint statement by the two countries released May 21 by the Department of State, the U.S.-Brazil Workshop on Cooperation in Climate Science and Technology, held in Brazil May 18-20, was "the initial step in identifying joint projects of mutual interest."

The joint statement said the two delegations discussed ways to further improve cooperation in "climate science and modeling; energy and technology; land use, land use change, forestry, and agriculture; emissions inventories and modeling; and impacts, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change."

Following is the text of the joint statement:

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
For Immediate Release
May 21, 2004
2004/580

Statement By Richard Boucher, Spokesman

Joint Statement of the United States and Brazil Announcing a Bilateral Climate Change Agreement

Following is the text of a joint statement released by the U.S. and Brazil following the U.S.-Brazil Workshop on Cooperation in Climate Science and Technology, held in Brazil, May 18-20, 2004.

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At the conclusion of the U.S.-Brazil Workshop on Cooperation in Climate Science and Technology, held in São José dos Campos, Brazil, May 18-20, 2004, the United States and Brazil announced their intention to expand and intensify existing bilateral efforts to address climate change in scientific and technological fields of mutual interest to produce balanced beneficial results.

In light of this agreement, the workshop was the initial step in identifying joint projects of mutual interest.

During the workshop, experts and officials from both countries discussed ways to further improve scientific and technological cooperation in such areas as: climate science and modeling; energy and technology; land use, land use change, forestry, and agriculture; emissions inventories and modeling; and impacts, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change. Specific areas of cooperation will be further considered.

Brazil reiterated its commitment to the Kyoto Protocol, its entry into force and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities of Parties in addressing climate change. In this context, Brazil is prepared to explore all possibilities for meeting the challenges of sustainable development posed by climate change.

The United States reaffirmed its commitment to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change and to practical cooperation with other countries to address climate change.

Dr. Harlan Watson, Senior Climate Negotiator and Special Representative of the U.S. Department of State, and Minister Everton Vieira Vargas, Director, Department of Environment and Special Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Relations, led the Workshop, which included senior and technical officials of both countries.