Welcome Remarks Ambassador Peter Cianchette
Launching Of USAID-CCAD Program to Implement Environmental Management Systems in the Private Sector
August 29, 2008
INGENIERO JORGE RODRIGUEZ, VICEMINISTRO DE AMBIENTE
LICENCIADA AMPARO PACHECO, VICEMINISTRA DE COMERCIO EXTERIOR
SEÑOR DAVID GUEST, REPPRESENTANTE DE LA AGENCIA DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS PARA
SEÑORES Y SEÑORAS EMPRESARIOS, INVITADOS A ESTE LANZAMIENTO HOY DIA.
AMIGOS DE LOS MEDIOS DE COMUNICACIÓN.
SEÑORAS Y SEÑORES:
I am delighted to extend to you a warm welcome as we join together this morning in launching the program to implement Environmental Management Systems (EMS) by private enterprise. I congratulate our colleagues from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the Ministry of Environment and Energy, and the Ministry of Foreign Trade, and the Central American Commission for Environment and Development (CCAD) for their efforts to bring this important initiative forward.
As one who comes from a business background, I know from first-hand experience how the private sector can, and must, play a vital role in promoting sustainable development. Governments alone cannot create prosperity. Nor can they succeed by working alone to conserve and protect the environment. But we have seen countless examples of how it is possible to advance both our economic and environmental objectives when governments, industry, and civil society work together in partnership.
The same holds true for cooperation between and among countries. In achieving the U.S.-Central America – Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), we did much more than open the way for greater trade and economic prosperity. We also strengthened the partnership for the environment that United States and Costa Rica have long enjoyed.
The environmental chapter of the CAFTA-DR treaty sets forth our agreement to give high priority to the strengthening of environmental management systems in our countries. It also stresses the importance of developing and promoting voluntary mechanisms to enhance environmental performance. We are doing just that through trade capacity building efforts such as the one we are launching today to give private firms the tools they need for more effective Environmental Systems Management.
I was delighted to see that my colleagues from USAID and USEPA were here all week to help dozens of Costa Rican consultants and others learn how to design and carry out Environmental Systems Management programs. I thank them for their efforts and congratulate all the participants for their commitment to strengthening their capacity to help private firms develop EMS programs.
With the program we are launching today for the private sector, we hope to see a good number of firms succeed in carrying out EMS programs over the next year. I am especially pleased to see that this effort is focused on small and medium-sized enterprises, given that such firms represent Costa Rica’s primary engine for creating jobs and boosting economic prosperity.
With this effort, I believe that many Costa Rican firms will discover that an effective EMS program is not just good for the environment. It is also good for business. A growing number of companies in the U.S. and elsewhere have already seen that improved environmental performance can mean greater cost savings through more efficient use of resources and reduced risks of legal or regulatory action related to pollution. Many companies have also seen that EMS programs can enhance their efficiencies in other areas, thereby boosting their bottom-line results.
And, finally, with a growing number of firms looking for environmentally-responsible suppliers throughout their supply chain, those firms that have an effective EMS program will be even better positioned to take advantage of the tremendous opportunities for sales growth offered by CAFTA-DR.
As I told the American Chamber of Commerce earlier this month, Costa Rica has the potential to be a model of effective and responsible resource management and appropriately-paced development. Clearly, there remain some serious challenges, such as strengthening the enforcement of existing environmental laws and upgrading important infrastructure, such as transportation and wastewater systems.
As evidenced by the presence of many from the business community here this morning, I am confident that the private sector will step forward to do its part in meeting such challenges. And I can assure you that the United States will continue to partner with you as we work together to ensure a cleaner, brighter, and more prosperous future for both our peoples.
Thank you.
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