Water Associations Join U.S. in China 'Eco-Partnership'
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), in coordination with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service (FCS) in China, and the U.S. water industry, propose to support the U.S.-China Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED) Ten-Year Framework on Energy and Environment by establishing a public-private partnership or “eco-partnership” to mobilize private-sector expertise and resources to address water quality issues in China.
The Water Environment Federation (WEF), the Water & Wastewater Equipment Manufacturers Association (WWEMA), and the WateReuse Association will work with these U.S. government agencies and appropriate Chinese counterparts to address water needs, many of which have been identified in the Ten-Year Framework. The organizations will establish representation in China and share information on best practices to improve water quality in China. In return, China will identify priority projects for joint cooperation.
USTDA will contribute funding for management and training associated with this public-private partnership, covering technical seminars/workshops on priority areas of interest for China’s Ministry of Environmental Protection. EPA will provide regulatory and policy guidance, and FCS will provide outreach and other program support.
The primary aim of the partnership will be to combine U.S. private-sector expertise and U.S. government resources to address China’s priority water needs, while also supporting U.S. companies by promoting advanced U.S. technological solutions.