EU-United States Climate, Energy and Development Dialogue
The European Union and the United States of America will conduct a High-Level Dialogue on Climate Change, Clean Energy and Sustainable Development in Helsinki, Finland, on October 24–25, 2006. The objective of the talks is to build on existing transatlantic initiatives and further advance the G-8 Gleneagles Plan of Action for Climate Change, Clean Energy and Sustainable Development.
Finland’s Environment Minister Jan-Erik Enestam and Minister of Trade and Industry Mauri Pekkarinen will host the meeting for the EU Presidency, along with the European Commission. The United States delegation, led by Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky, will be co-chaired by White House Council on Environmental Quality Chairman James Connaughton and Under Secretary of Energy David Garman. Other participants will include the European Commission’s environment, transport and energy directorates, and representatives from the Government of Germany, upcoming EU President, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The EU and the United States agreed to this Dialogue at the U.S.–EU Summit held in Vienna last June. The agenda at the Helsinki meeting will highlight existing cooperative transatlantic approaches and explore prospective areas of engagement on these important issues. Discussion topics will include policies and measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, carbon capture and storage, renewable energy sources, clean diesel, cleaner and more efficient vehicles, and biodiversity.
The High-Level Dialogue on Climate Change, Clean Energy and Sustainable Development will begin the afternoon of October 24th in Helsinki. For further information on the media program and accreditation please visit www.eu2006.fi where details will be available week 42.