The present Agreement commits both countries to encourage high levels of domestic environmental protection, to foster good environmental governance and to promote transparency and public participation. It also creates a framework for undertaking environmental cooperative activities. In particular, the objectives of this Agreement are to: a) foster conservation, protection and improvement of the environment in the territories of the Parties for the well-being of present and future generations; b) promote sustainable development through environmental and economic policies that are mutually supportive; c) promote cooperation between the Parties on the development and improvement of environmental governance; d) enhance compliance with, and enforcement of, environmental laws; e) complement and support the environment-related provisions of the Canada-Panama FTA; f) promote transparency and public participation in the conservation, protection and improvement of the environment, including in the development of environmental laws and policies; g) encourage public participation in the implementation of this Agreement; and h) promote economically efficient and effective environmental measures. Furthermore, the countries commit to: 1) ensure that their laws and policies provide for high levels of environmental protection; 2) effectively enforce their environmental laws; 3) not relax their environmental laws in order to encourage trade or investment; 4) ensure that procedures for environmental impact assessment are maintained; 5) promote trade and investment in environmental goods and services; 6) ensure that proceedings are available to provide sanctions or remedies for violations of their environmental laws; 7) promote public awareness of environmental laws and policies; 8) promote the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity; 9) respect, preserve and maintain traditional knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities; and 10) encourage voluntary best practices of corporate social responsibility. The Environment Agreement also includes enforcement and complaint mechanisms, which: 1) allow any Canadian or Panamanian to submit a written question to either country regarding any obligation under the Agreement; 2) provide that any Canadian or Panamanian can request an investigation of alleged violations of environmental laws in his or her country; and 3) establish a dispute resolution mechanism to address any matter that may arise under the Agreement. The Agreement consists of 29 articles divided into 8 Parts as follows: Definitions (I); Objectives (II); Domestic Obligations (III); Accountability (IV); Environmental Cooperation (V); Implementation (VI); General Provisions (VII); Final Provisions (VIII). Three Annexes are enclosed.
كندا, بنما · 2010-05-14