Assistant Secretary McMurray Signs U.S.-Morocco Science and Technology Agreement and Environmental Plan of Action

The U.S.-Moroccan S&T Agreement paves the way for collaboration on a broad array of science issues. Government agencies, national research centers, academic institutions and private corporations in both countries are expected to benefit. The Agreement also provides for scientists from Maghreb countries neighboring Morocco to participate in a regional S&T dialogue. The United States has signed similar agreements with Algeria and Tunisia The United States looks forward to exchanges of scientists, technical experts and students; training programs; and joint research projects.

The Environmental Cooperation Plan of Action was developed pursuant to the U.S.-Morocco Joint Statement on Environmental Cooperation, which was negotiated in conjunction with the U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement (FTA). A number of U.S.-Morocco cooperative environmental activities are in progress, or have been completed, including work on sustainable tourism and training programs in the use of Environmental Impact Assessment and economic incentives in environmental decision-making. In addition, the United States and Morocco have worked jointly on water management issues under the Plan of Action, and are collaborating on olive oil factories waste and integrated coastal and watershed issues. All of these activities illustrate the positive commitment of the United States to build our FTA partners? capacity to protect the environment while growing their economies.