EPA Efforts in the Asia-Pacific Region
EPA works with nations in the Asia-Pacific region to protect the global environment and public health. Our work focuses on the largest developing economies and population centers, including China and Vietnam. We also collaborate on initiatives in Australia, Japan, Singapore, and Taiwan, and partner with the Asian Development Bank.
Explore our work in the Asia-Pacific region:
Examples of Work in the Region
China
EPA and China’s Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) have a long-standing partnership that has advanced the environmental protection capacities in both the United States and China. The collaboration is focused on six key areas of cooperation: 1) improving air quality; 2) reducing water pollution; 3) preventing exposure to chemicals and toxics; 4) remediating soil, hazardous and solid waste; 5) improving environmental enforcement and compliance; and 6) enhancing environmental laws and institutions. Collaboration since the first U.S.-China Joint Committee on Environmental Cooperation (JCEC) in 2007 has expanded the quality of environmental protection expertise at both EPA and MEP and has equipped China to achieve significant milestones in the development of its environmental protection laws and policies.
- December 2017: EPA and China Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) convened a U.S.-China Green Ports and Vessels Initiative workshop to share experiences and best practices on developing emission inventories for the ports and vessels sector. These emission inventories will assist MEP in implementing air quality control measures in order to meet the Law on the Prevention and Control of Atmospheric Pollution, which China amended in 2015 to include specific requirements for vessels and non-road mobile sources concerning fuel quality and engine standards.
Vietnam
EPA inspector Davis Jones presents information on conducting environmental inspections to Vietnamese officials in Qui Nhon, Vietnam. (August 2017)A coastal nation of approximately ninety-four million people, Vietnam is one of Asia’s fastest emerging economies and an important environmental partner for EPA. EPA is collaborating with Vietnam’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) to strengthen environmental laws and institutions in Vietnam by training environmental officials on reviewing environmental impact assessments, conducting environmental inspections, developing permitting standards, enforcing regulations, and providing environmental information to the public. These efforts are advancing increased compliance with environmental laws, improved air and water quality, better waste management; increased public participation and access to environmental information, and improved chemical management by industry.
- August 2017: EPA, Vietnam Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime partnered to deliver two-day workshops on environmental inspections to approximately 65 municipal and provincial inspectors and environmental police officers in Vietnam. Workshop participants learned practical skills for conducting inspections of industrial facilities to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
Where We Work
Explore the links below to learn more about EPA's collaboration with government ministries in the following countries in the Asia Pacific Region.
EPA does not currently have active bilateral programs in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, East Timor, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, or Sri Lanka. We occasionally engage these countries through multilateral, regional and global initiatives; or on select technical issues.
EPA’s Office of International and Tribal Affairs serves as EPA’s point of contact for information and requests related to foreign countries.