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EPA Administrator McCarthy to attend Commission on Environmental Cooperation

Release Date: 07/16/2014
Contact Information: Jennifer Colaizzi, [email protected], 202-564-7776

WASHINGTON – Today and Thursday, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy will join host Canadian Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq and Mexican Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources Juan José Guerra Abud in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada for the 21^st Regular Session of the Council for the Commission on Environmental Cooperation (CEC).

During the council session, Administrator McCarthy will discuss the Strategic Priorities for 2015-2020 and the Operational Plan for 2013-2014. Primary topics for discussion include mitigating and adapting to climate change, incorporating traditional ecological knowledge into environmental decision-making, and the pursuit of green growth and sustainable practices in North America. At the close of the meeting, Administrator McCarthy will assume the role of Chair of the CEC Council, previously held by Canada.

The CEC is an international organization established by the United States, Canada, and Mexico under the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC), a side agreement to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Since its creation in 1994, the CEC has advanced our understanding of trade-environment linkages; successfully promoted citizen engagement and increased government accountability regarding enforcement; achieved substantial results on key North American issues, such as chemicals management and conservation of North American biodiversity; and built substantial environmental capacities.

Wednesday, July 16, 2014
7:00-9:30 PM Welcoming Reception and Official Opening of the 21^st Regular Session of the CEC Council

Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre,

4750 48^th St, Yellowknife, NT, Canada, X1A 2L9

Thursday, July 17, 2014
12:10-4:45 PM CEC Council Session Public Meeting

Explorer Hotel, Katimavik A & B,

4825 49^th Avenue, Yellowknife, NT, Canada, X1A 2R3

These events are open to the public and press. Media should RSVP to EPA at [email protected] and Megan Ainscow with CEC at [email protected].

Participate in the conversation with Hashtag: #council2014

For more information on the CEC and to view the event live: www.cec.org

For more information about EPA’s work in North America: https://wcms.epa.gov/international-cooperation/epa-efforts-north-america