US-AEP sponsored over 130 Asian buyers and decision-makers to attend the 93^rd Air and Waste Management Association Conference in Salt Lake City, from June 17-21. Asian delegates from Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam were represented.

The Environmental Exchange Program and the Overseas Program Fund made it possible for the delegation to attend the conference. US-AEP Technology Representatives gave environmental market presentations about their respective countries. The Overseas Program Fund arranged for technical tours, as well as one-on-one meetings between U.S. companies and Asian buyers. Over 300 meetings took place.

Dennis Smith, President of MD Mustang Lasertech, whose company had received an Environmental Technology Fund grant and traveled to Asia as a result of it, also took advantage of meetings the with the US-AEP Tech Reps as well as the Asian Delegates. Mr. Smith offered this commentary, "US-AEP offered a variety of programs that are truly helpful to U.S. companies. The US-AEP team and members of the Asian delegates really showed us which markets could use our technology. As a result of these meetings, we will be planning the next round of our Asia trip to include Vietnam, Thailand and Hong Kong to meet these delegates in their homeland. We will continue to use US-AEP as a resource."

[The Overseas Program Fund and the Environmental Technology Fund grant is administered by the National Association for State Development Agency. The Environmental Exchange Program is administered by the Institute for International Education.]

On June 22, USAID in cooperation with the Congressional Economic Leadership Institute (CELI), the Environmental Export Council (EEC), International Climate Change Partnership (ICCP), and Planning and Development Collaborative, Inc. (PADCO), sponsored a Capitol Hill luncheon to discuss "Climate Change, Innovation and Trade: Global Opportunities for U.S. Business."

USAID Administrator, J. Brady Anderson, delivered the Keynote address. He spoke on the immense opportunities available to U.S firms in the climate change technology market. He emphasized that, "reducing greenhouse gas emissions is good business." Mr. Anderson cited that the market for this technologies is expected to grow from $30 billion in 2000 to over $50 billion by 2010. However, Mr. Anderson added, the U.S. currently holds only an 18% share of that market and stressed "we can do better."

The luncheon also included two panel discussions. The first, moderated by The Honorable Sherrod Brown (D-OH), discussed the ways in which industry was reducing greenhouse gas emissions and staying competitive. The second, moderated by Roger Ballentine, Deputy Assistant to the President on Environmental Initiatives, covered the ways to capitalize on overseas demand for climate technologies and services.

US-AEP Executive Director Peter Kimm, member of the second panel, noted the outstanding work that US-AEP has been doing toward this end, noting that "the whole organization is geared toward promoting U.S. energy efficiency and climate change technologies that compete well."

US-AEP�s Environmental Exchange Program (EEP) hosted a group of Mayors from the Philippines from May 15-28. From May 17-19, the Mayors attended the 2^nd World Competitive Cities Congress held at the World Bank headquarters in DC. During and after the World Bank conference, the EEP took the Mayors on a two-week study tour, which included site visits to government and private facilities in Washington, DC, Columbus, Ohio, Portland, Oregon, and San Diego, California.

On June 5^th, World Environment Day, the Government of Tamil Nadu and the Tamil Nadu State Minister for Environment and Forests Mr. Pongalur Palanisam presented US-AEP India/Chennai Technology Representative, Sundaresan Subramanian with a special award. The award is in recognition of his distinguished services in environmental management.

On July 13, Deputy Secretary David J. Hayes from the United States Department of Interior delivered a presentation entitled, "Natural Resources and Livable Communities: A View of Sustainability from the Interior". Deputy Secretary Hayes described the efforts that the Department of Interior is taking to lead the Administration's "Livable Communities" initiative. In particular, he mentioned legislation designed to curb urban sprawl--an issue of interest to both U.S. and Asian policymakers. He referred to the 1965 Land and Water Conservation Fund as a potential model for Asian policies. Deputy Secretary Hayes noted that the Department of Interior recognizes the value the public places on access to green space in the U.S., as well as internationally.

The Policy Group�s next Policy Forum will be held on Tuesday, July 25. Ms. Tauni Sanchez, Managing Director of the Dow Jones Sustainability Group Index (DJSGI), in Zurich, Switzerland, will discuss the current status of the DJSGI and its future possibilities. The new Dow Jones Sustainability Group Indexes are based on the world�s first systematic methodology for identifying leading sustainability-driven companies worldwide.

Devon Rager is the new Program Associate for CTEM and Urban Programs. Devon holds a Masters in Community Planning from the University of Maryland, and a Bachelors in Urban Studies and Planning from the University of California at San Diego.

Please also welcome Erin Webster to the US-AEP family. Erin is the new Trade Specialist for NASDA and will be working on both the Environmental Tech Fund and Overseas Program Fund. Erin holds a Masters in International Trade and Investment Policy from George Washington University. Prior to joining US-AEP, she worked as a Personal Service Contractor for the US & Foreign Commercial Service office in Spain.

Farewell

In this edition, US-AEP will have to say farewell to Mike Kornell and Sandra Williams.

Mike Kornell served as the Urban Program Manager. Mike always had an intriguing story to tell from his extensive repertoire. He is venturing into investment banking.

Sandra Williams, Office Manager for CTEM in Washington, D.C., has moved on to a position with CAIS Internet. Sandra always had a warm smile and a great laugh to match it.