The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which met in March, condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and made several commitments over two days in what a U.S. official calls, “an example of nations working together,” according to an April 1 press release.
The meetings, the first of its kind in about six years, took place March 30 and 31, an Environmental Protection Agency press release stated. Several countries participated in the meetings including 38 member nations, as well as the European Union, Bulgaria, Croatia, Peru and Romania.
The nations shared goals for addressing climate change, combatting plastic pollution and environmental justice and equity, the release stated.
"The OECD's 38 member nations are brought together by our shared values and our belief in democracy, market-oriented economies, human rights, transparency, and the need to build a greener, more inclusive future," U.S. Ambassador to the OECD, Jack Markell, said in the release. "Working together, we are finding global solutions to global challenges, and we are taking strong, urgent, and transformative action."
Michael S. Regan, EPA administrator, co-chaired OECD's environment ministers meeting, marking the first time since the 1970s that an EPA administrator has chaired the meeting, Regan said in a statement.
Regan referred to the earliest days of President Joe Biden’s administration when the president "recommitted the United States to global leadership when it comes to climate and the environment, and EPA is aggressively following through," in the release.
"EPA's leadership at the OECD allowed us to carry forward our international priorities on climate, environmental justice, and more," Regan said. "Across the globe we know that vulnerable communities are often impacted first and worst by pollution and climate impacts, and the OECD will be leading the way in undertaking work dedicated to environmental justice and equity."
Regan was sworn in as EPA's 16th administrator in March of 2021, according to his biography on the EPA website. He is the first Black man and second person of color to hold the job.
The OECD is an intergovernmental economic group of 38 member countries, including the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with the aim of stimulating world trade and economic progress, the release stated.
In addition to condemning Russia's invasion, the OECD also affirmed support for the Ukrainian people and the country’s democratically elected leadership, according to the release. They also suspended Russia and Belarus' over the invasion and pledged to step up action on climate and environmental issues.
