The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry (MOEF) reached an agreement to promote bilateral cooperating between the two nations on protecting the environment and taking action on climate change.
According to an EPA news release, the memorandum of understanding (MOU) forms a foundation for cooperation on several environmental topics, including air quality management, water quality management, waste management and climate change. It also includes environmental education components, according to the news release, the agreement will also direct the sharing of information and technology between the countries.
"EPA greatly values our productive and sustained history of environmental cooperation with Indonesia, particularly with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry,” EPA Director Michael Regan said in the news release.
According to the EPA news release, the partnership between the countries was forged eight years ago to promote the environmental relationship between the countries and drive the existing relationship to a new level. The countries, according to the news release, have both signed the Paris Climate Agreement, with the MOU backing its effort.
“We’re proud to partner with the ministry to advance our shared goals of protecting human health and the environment, and to address the global environmental challenges we face today and, in the future,” Regan said in the EPA news release.
Moreover, the EPA noted in its release that the memorandum shows how collaboration between two countries on environmental issues can have mutual benefits.
"Indonesia and the United States have a long history of cooperation on environmental issues, and this MOU will further enhance our collaboration and mutual learning," MOEFF Minister Siti Nurbaya said in the EPA news release. “We look forward to working with EPA on implementing concrete actions that will benefit both our countries and the planet."
The EPA also noted in the release that Indonesia has been inspired by the EPA’s regulations focusing on the environment for some two decades while helping each country reach its targets of improving air quality, water sanitation, waste management and cutting plastic waste.
