Embassy of the United States

Offices

Environmental Office

Nordic/Baltic Regional Environmental Office

The Nordic/Baltic Regional Environmental Office (REO) is the United States' point of contact for regional environment, science, health, and technology issues for the Nordic/Baltic region. The REO acts as a liaison between governments, international organizations, nongovernmental organizations and the U.S. government on these issues.

History

In 1996, former U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher responded to growing concerns about transboundary environmental concerns with the creation of U.S. regional environmental offices in key regions around the world. These so-called "Hubs" were designed to complement the activities of U.S. diplomatic missions by concentrating on transboundary issues of regional and global significance. The Hubs are part of the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES).

The Nordic/Baltic Regional Environmental Office was established in 1998 under this initiative. The office, located at the U. S. Embassy in Copenhagen, is the United States' point of contact for regional environment, science, technology and health issues (EST&H). The Nordic/Baltic region includes Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden with associations in Russia, Poland and Germany concerning Baltic Sea issues.

Duties

The REO acts as a liaison between governments, international organizations, nongovernmental organizations and the U.S. government on EST&H issues and coordinates programs of regional interest. An Environmental, Scientific and Technological Affairs officer and one program coordinator staff the REO. The REO coordinates closely with the U.S. Embassies in the region and with technical agencies of the U.S. government to support environmental management, cooperative science, advanced technologies, and public health in the region.

In 1997, the Northern Europe Initiative was launched to encourage government agencies, the private sector and the NGO community to build a culture of cooperation among the Baltic states, northwest Russia, the Nordic countries, Poland and Germany. NEI achieved great success reaching its foremost goal, the integration of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania into the western European community. Building on the progress made in the region over the last decade, the U.S. Department of State launched a new initiative in the region in October of 2003, the Enhanced Partnership in Northern Europe (e-PINE). E-PINE builds on the success of the U.S.'s strong ties with the Nordic/Baltic region. E-PINE includes three broad areas of focus, cooperative security, healthy societies and vibrant economies. Through e-PINE, the U.S. will continue to support regional efforts to build a civil society, strengthen democratic institutions and combat crime and corruption.

Around the world

The Nordic/Baltic REO is one of 12 Hubs around the world. In addition to the REO Hub in Copenhagen, the other Hubs are located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Amman, Jordan; Bangkok, Thailand; Brasilia, Brazil; Budapest, Hungary; Gaborone, Botswana; Kathmandu, Nepal; Libreville, Gabon; San Jose, Costa Rica; Suva, Fiji and Tashkent, Uzbekistan.