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EPA Administrator Seeks Greater Environmental Cooperation in Visits to Jordan and Israel

Release Date: 10/20/2008
Contact Information: Dave Ryan, 202-564-4355 / [email protected]

(10/20/08) EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson is visiting the Middle East to enhance environmental cooperation with key regional partners of the United States, Israel and Jordan. Johnson will promote improved environmental management and enforcement in Jordan, and advance two-way sharing of information between the U.S. and Israel on homeland security and the environment.

While in Jordan, Johnson will have policy discussions on cooperative activities with Khaled Irani, Jordan’s Minister of Environment. These activities are part of environmental capacity-building efforts under the U.S.-Jordan Free Trade Agreement, and are conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Agency for International Development. EPA assistance includes remediating a hazardous waste landfill near Amman, collaborative work with the Jordanian environmental police on enforcement of environmental laws, and broader efforts to build good environmental governance in Jordan through effective laws, regulations, and enforcement. Johnson will also address the Eco-Cities of the Mediterranean Forum at the Dead Sea in Jordan, followed by meetings with regional environment ministers attending the forum.

Israeli Minister of Environment Gideon Ezra invited Johnson to visit Israel with the express purpose of enhancing collaboration on approaches to effective environmental protection. Johnson believes EPA can benefit from Israel’s water security, emergency response, and risk communication programs, widely regarded as some of the most innovative in the world. Johnson will also meet with Israeli Minister of National Infrastructures Binyamin Ben Eliezer to promote sharing of information between Israel and the U.S. on water security and water quality monitoring.

For more information on EPA International Programs, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/international