International Programs

The Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) program provides environmental tools and information to build the capacity of LAC governments and civil society organizations to reduce environmental degradation and its impacts on public health, particularly vulnerable populations, and ecosystems.

LAC programs and activities in the Region support the work of our partners to build healthy communities by:

• strengthening their capacity to implement environmental laws, policies, and programs;
• advancing greater use of economic incentives; and
• promoting public participation and transparency in environmental decision-making.
  

These programs also support implementation of environmental cooperation mechanisms associated with Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). In addition, our efforts in the region support EPA’s six international priorities and benefit the environment and public health in the United States, as well as that of our partners.

Learn more about our work in Latin America and the Caribbean:

• Brazil
• Chile
• CAFTA-DR
• Other Free Trade Agreements
• Other Initiatives in the Region
  

Brazil

Brazil ’s size (the 5th largest country in the world and the largest in Latin America), large population, and high levels of economic growth and urbanization make its current and future environmental footprint the most significant in the Latin America and Caribbean region and one of the most significant in the world. EPA works with national and local environmental agencies in Brazil to exchange information on environmental management and risk reduction in areas of mutual interest.

Learn more about our work in Brazil

 

Chile

The Governments of the United States of America and the Republic of Chile signed an Environmental Cooperation Agreement (ECA) on June 17, 2003. In so doing, the Governments recognized the importance of protecting the environment while promoting sustainable development in concert with the expanded bilateral trade and investment ties associated with the 2003 U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

Learn more about work work in Chile

 

CAFTA-DR

The Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) includes Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and the United States.

EPA works as an implementation partner with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) on environmental capacity building within the CAFTA-DR region in accordance with the priorities outlined in the CAFTA-DR Environmental Cooperation Agreement (ECA).

Learn more about CAFTA-DR

 

Other Free Trade Agreements:

Colombia

The Colombia Trade Agreement was approved by Congress in October 2011. The length of time necessary to implement trade agreements varies, but the U.S. President is committed to bringing it into force as soon as possible.

• More information from the US Trade Representative: About the Colombia Free Trade Agreement -- Full Text

Peru

The Peru Trade Promotion Agreement entered into force on February 1, 2009. For more information, please visit:

• US Trade Representative: About the Peru Trade Promotion Agreement -- Full Text
• State Department: http://www.state.gov/e/oes/env/trade/peru/index.htm

Panama

The Panama Trade agreement was approved by Congress in October, 2011. The length of time necessary to implement trade agreements varies, but the U.S. President is committed to bringing it into force as soon as possible.

• More information from the US Trade Representative: About the Panama Trade Promotion Agreement -- Full Text

 

Other Initiatives in the Region

• EPA partners with the Environmental Management Authority in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobego.
• EPA promotes Water Safety Plans (WSPs) to continue building the capacity of health and environment institutions to improve drinking water quality in Central America. Learn how EPA works to Protect Drinking Water Quality in Latin America and the Caribbean.
• At the Fifth Summit of the Americas (April 2009), President Obama invited all countries of the Western Hemisphere to deepen cooperation on energy and climate change, by launching the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas. Peru recently hosted a follow-up symposium to discuss cooperation on energy and climate change, two of the most critical issues facing our region. Learn more
• Inter-American Forum on Environmental Law (FIDA)- For more information, please visit the website for the Organization of American States (OAS) at http://www.oas.org/dsd/fida/