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In May 2013 and April 2014, senior officials from the United States and the CAFTA DR (Dominican Republic Central America United States Free Trade Agreement) countries held meetings of the Environmental Affairs Council established under the environment chapter of the FTA to oversee implementation of and review progress under the chapter and to consider the implementation of environmental cooperation activities under the related Environmental Cooperation Agreement. The Parties held a public session, which included participation from civil society, business, and members of the press.

The central oversight body for the Agreement is the United States-Bahrain Joint Committee (JC), chaired jointly by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and Bahrain's Ministry of Industry and Commerce. Dates for the third meeting of the JC have not yet been set, but when scheduled, officials of the two governments expect to discuss a broad range of trade issues, including efforts to increase bilateral trade and investment levels, possible cooperation in the broader MENA region, and additional cooperative efforts related to labor rights and environmental protection.

The United States Chile FTA entered into force on 1 January 2004. The United States-Chile FTA (…) requires effective labor and environmental enforcement. (…)

In January 2013, senior U.S. and Chilean officials held a meeting of the Environmental Affairs Council (EAC) established under the environment chapter of the FTA and a meeting of the Joint Commission for Environmental Cooperation established under the related Environmental Cooperation Agreement. The EAC reviewed progress in implementing commitments under the environment chapter and the Joint Commission reviewed the implementation of environmental cooperation activities. The Parties held a public session in connection with these meetings.

In December 2013, both the Environmental Affairs Council (EAC) under the CTPA (United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement) and the Environmental Cooperation Commission (ECC) under the United States-Colombia Environmental Cooperation Agreement (ECA), which entered into force on 28 June 2013, met. The Council and Commission also held a public session pursuant to the CTPA environment chapter and the ECA. The EAC reviewed implementation of the Environment Chapter of the CTPA including actions taken by both countries to increase levels of environmental protection, ensure effective enforcement of environmental laws, and provide opportunities for public participation in environmental governance and the trade policy-setting processes. The EAC also discussed the designation of a secretariat to receive and consider submissions on matters regarding enforcement of environmental laws under the terms of the CTPA. The ECC reviewed ongoing environmental cooperation activities and approved and signed the first United States-Colombia Work Program for Environmental Cooperation under the ECA, which provides a robust framework for advancing environmental cooperation in the coming years.

In addition, the Environmental Affairs Council (EAC) met in February 2013, and reviewed implementation of the Environment Chapter of the FTA. The United States and Korea outlined actions they have taken to increase levels of environmental protection, ensure effective enforcement of environmental laws, and provide opportunities for public participation in environmental governance and the trade policy-setting processes. They also discussed ways to further strengthen their cooperation in multilateral and regional fora, including APEC. They held a public session of the EAC, which included participation from civil society, business, and members of the press.

In 2013, Morocco and the United States continued their cooperation on environmental issues. The U.S. Department of the Interior helped Moroccan government authorities strengthen tools customs officers use to seize contraband wildlife products at ports of entry, and Morocco's CITES Management Authority to oversee legal trade in wildlife products. The U.S. Forest Service provided rangeland management training to Moroccan officials and supported the establishment of a Rangeland Management School to help protect Morocco's primary water source.

The central oversight body for the FTA is the United States-Oman Joint Committee, chaired jointly by USTR and Oman's Ministry of Commerce and Industry. In September 2012, the two governments discussed a broad range of trade issues including efforts to increase bilateral trade and investment levels, possible cooperation in the broader Middle East and North Africa region, and additional cooperative efforts related to labor rights and environmental protection. In June 2014, U.S. and Omani trade and environment officials met to discuss progress made to implement the environment chapter of the FTA. They also discussed ongoing environmental cooperation activities and adopted an updated environmental cooperation work program. They held a public session, which included participation from civil society, business, and members of the press.

The Agreement establishes an Environmental Affairs Council (EAC) under the environment chapter. In May 2012, the United States and Panama signed the U.S.-Panama Environmental Cooperation Agreement (ECA), which the Panamanian National Assembly passed on 22 October 2013, and which entered into force on 7 December 2013. The ECA established an Environmental Cooperation Commission (ECC). In January 2014, the EAC and the ECC both met in Panama City to discuss progress made to implement the environment chapter, including regarding the establishment of a secretariat for environmental enforcement matters, and advancing progress on the ECA work program. A public session was held in connection with these meetings.

Since the last review, the United States has worked in close collaboration with Peru to advance implementation of the Annex on Forest Sector Governance under the United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement. During the review period, the United States also met with officials from Central America and the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Chile, Korea, Oman, and Panama to discuss implementation of the environment chapters of our FTAs.