US-Bahrain action plan to tackle environmental issues

Manama : A US-Bahrain joint forum has launched a plan of action in environmental co-operation at its inaugural session. The 2017-2021 plan aims to address environmental issues of mutual importance including air quality issues, coastal environment protection, protecting endangered species and promoting the growth of environmental technology.

Dr Mohammed Mubarak bin Daina, Chief Executive Officer for Bahrain’s Supreme Council for the Environment, headed the Bahrain delegation, while Jennifer Prescott, Director of Environment and Natural Resources at the United States Trade Representative’s Office (USTR) led the U.S. delegation.   

U.S. and Bahraini officials also met with representatives from civil society and the private sector during a public session, opened by the Ambassador of the United States to the Kingdom, Justin Siberell.  At the close of the event, there was a public question and answer session.

United States-Bahrain Memorandum of Understanding on Environmental Cooperation (MOU) was negotiated in parallel with the FTA and recognizes the importance of strengthening capacity to protect the environment while promoting sustainable development in concert with expanded bilateral trade under the FTA. 

Since the FTA came into effect, bilateral trade between Bahrain and the US has more than doubled.