The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) yesterday awarded a $39 million contract to Chemonics International, Inc., to help the Government of Peru to "measurably improve forest governance and environmental management, conserve sustainable tropical forest landscapes, and increase forest-based livelihoods in Peru in the context of implementing the U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (PTPA) and other international agreements."
According to the project Statement of Work (Solicitation #SOL-527-10-000007), the U.S. and Peru in 2006 initially signed an Environmental Cooperation Agreement (ECA) “that provides a framework for enhancing bilateral environmental cooperation between the Parties aimed at protecting, improving, and preserving the environment, including the conservation and sustainable use of their natural resources."
As part of the ECA, the nations also agreed to establish an Environmental Cooperation Commission (ECC), which must:
define a Work Program, establishing specific goals, objectives and areas for cooperation in a way that reflects national priorities of each Party. In addition, the Sub-Committee on Forest Sector Governance was created to facilitate cooperation between the parties and to provide a forum for the parties to share views and information on any matter arising under Annex on Forest Sector Governance of the PTPA. The Sub-Committee, chaired by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) for the United States and the Ministry of Foreign Commerce and Tourism (MINCETUR) for Peru, is to be composed of governmental representatives of both Parties…
In addition to coordinating efforts with the Peruvian forest authorities and the Ministry of Environment, Chemonics likewise will coordinate efforts with the World Bank Forest Carbon Partnership Facility in helping Peru to reduce emissions.
Chemonics will provide this assistance potentially over five years, beginning with a three-year base period and followed by two possible option years. (Contract Award #AID-527-C-11-00002)
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