Canada–Chile Commission for Environmental Cooperation 2012 to 2013 annual report: executive summary

Executive Summary

The Council of the Canada-Chile Commission for Environmental Cooperation met for its Thirteenth Regular Session on September 27, 2013, in Santiago, Chile. 

In 2013, Canada and Chile finalized the modernization of the Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement, with the entry into force of a new financial services chapter and other key updates on government procurement, dispute settlement and custom procedures.  Issues related to bilateral trade and investment were a key focus of the visit to Canada by Chilean President Sebastián Piñera in May 2013.  This visit provided an opportunity to celebrate the many benefits of expanded trade, investment and cooperation between the two countries, and to renew the Canada-Chile Strategic Partnership Framework, including commitments for continued environmental cooperation.  In this context, the Canada-Chile Agreement on Environmental Cooperation provides an effective mechanism to demonstrate both countries’ strong commitment to ensuring that trade and environmental protection are complementary and promoting collaboration aimed at conserving, protecting, and enhancing the environment. 

The National Secretariats continue to advance cooperative activities in line with the principles of the Agreement. Implementation of projects over the last year resulted in, among others: 

• Contributions to a number of fast-start financing initiatives in Chile aimed at developing climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies;
• Exchange of expertise and research regarding the causes and control of Didymosphenia geminata (known as didymo), an invasive algae affecting rivers in Canada, Chile and around the world; and
• Surveys of the endangered Red Knot shore bird population, the results of which are being used internationally to coordinate conservation efforts.

The Commission has also worked with the Joint Public Advisory Committee (JPAC) to consider future priorities under the Canada-Chile Agreement on Environmental Cooperation and help steer the development of the next biannual work plan. 

At the Council Session, officials agreed to pursue further measures to maximize resources for cooperative work under the Agreement and promote cost-efficiencies with respect to its implementation.  As a result, Council approved a resolution to decrease the size of JPAC from six to four members, in an effort to reduce expenses while ensuring a strong mechanism for public participation and transparency. 

During the Thirteenth Council Session, JPAC hosted a public session on climate change cooperation with guest speaker Fernando Farías, Head of the Climate Change Office, Chilean Ministry of Environment. His presentation focused on the development of Chile’s Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Action (NAMA) strategies, including the “Catalyzing Organic Waste Diversion in the Chilean Industries NAMA” supported by a Canadian fast-start financing contribution.      

Canada and Chile remain committed to the Agreement, look forward to its continued success in the future and will meet again under the auspices of the Fourteenth Regular Session of the Canada-Chile Commission for Environmental Cooperation in Canada in 2014.