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 large and 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 Ecology and Environment (MEE) 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 MEE and has equipped China to achieve significant milestones in the development of its environmental protection laws and policies.
- October 2019: EPA hosted a delegation of 22 environmental enforcement officials and inspectors from the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and Provincial Environmental Protection Bureaus for training and exchange on U.S. enforcement and compliance of environmental laws. EPA shared experience and lessons on administrative, civil and criminal enforcement of environmental laws; inspection process; federal, state and local coordination; and the use of advanced monitoring tools and data analytics to target compliance. The delegation from China presented on developments and improvements to China’s environmental enforcement and compliance assurance capabilities based on lessons learned from continued exchanges with EPA.
Vietnam
Environmental officials from USEPA, Vietnam Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and Taiwan EPA visit Bali Refuse to learn about recycling and environmental education.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 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. - May 2019: EPA partnered with the International Network for Environmental Compliance and Enforcement (INECE) Exitto conduct a one-week technical program for MONRE to learn about environmental policies in the U.S. and in Taiwan. The program focused on environmental impact assessment, waste and wastewater management, and extended producer responsibility. This exchange program helped inform development of new environmental laws in Vietnam. View the program proceedings. Exit
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, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka or Thailand. 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.