Memorandum of Cooperation between Ministry of the Environment of Japan and Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the Field of Environment

Source

Date of adoption16.12.2020

Date of entry into force-

Parties

JapanSaudi Arabia

environment

Documents

Attachments

Memorandum of Cooperation between Japan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.pdf

Overview

The Memorandum of Cooperation between Ministry of the Environment of Japan and Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the Field of Environment is a non-legally binding agreement that was signed and became effective on 16 December 2020. The Memorandum establishes a framework for cooperation on environmental protection, preservation, and strategic planning, and promotes environmental technology studies and capacity-building. The purpose of the cooperation is to protect and preserve the environment through measures such as water quality and wastewater management, marine protection, combating land degradation and desertification, integrated coastal zone management, and early warning systems to reduce vulnerability to extreme weather events.

The Memorandum is done in Arabic, English and Japanese languages, all texts having equal values. Only English text is available.

Full text

Memorandum of Cooperation Between Ministry of the Environment of Japan and Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the Field of Environment

The Ministry of the Environment of Japan and the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture of Saudi Arabia (hereinafter referred to individually as “side” and collectively as “both sides”), desiring to strengthen and cement friendly relationships and to elevate their level of cooperation in the field of environment, hereby decided the following:

Paragraph 1

Both sides will endeavor to cooperate, in line with the laws and regulations in each country and within the limits of available resources and potentials, in the field of environment for protection of environment and its preservation through:

1) Adaptation with co-benefits such as;

● Water quality and wastewater management

● Marine protection.

● Combating land degradation or desertification on the environmental level

● Integrated coastal zone management planning for the protection of coastal infrastructure (such as roads, residential areas, industrial complexes, desalination plants and seaports).

● Early warning systems to reduce vulnerability due to extreme weather events.

2) Methods and techniques to monitor and control air pollution;

3) Development of methods and techniques to treat and dispose of contaminated soil (non-radioactive);

4) Reduction of noise pollution and vibration control;

5) Improvement of environmental impact assessment procedures through studying the current status;

6) Management of waste including chemicals and hazardous waste as well as 3R.

7) Collaboration on strategic planning, promotion of environment technology studies and capacity-building;

8) Any other activity within the scope of the environment protection and improvement decided upon by both sides.

Paragraph 2

Both sides will implement the cooperation under this Memorandum of Cooperation (hereinafter referred to as “MOC”) by various means through the following forms:

1) Exchanging expertise and relevant scientific and technical information;

2) Encouraging mutual visits and meetings as well as organizing seminars, conferences, workshops and training courses; and

3) Any other form decided by both sides.

Paragraph 3

Both sides will observe confidentiality and secrecy of information or documents exchanged in the cooperation under this MOC, in purposes other than the intended, and will not transfer them to a third party without the prior written consent of the side providing such information or documents.

Paragraph 4

1) Each side will be subject to the laws and regulations of the country of the other side during the implementation of any activity under this MOC.

2) Both sides consent that the background intellectual property will be regarded as the contribution of one of them to implement any activity under this MOC.

3) Intellectual property rights resulting from the implementation of an activity under this MOC will be owned by both side in accordance with the contribution of each side and as decided upon by both sides in a separate document.

Paragraph 5

Both sides designate the followings as the persons responsible for the implementation of activities within the scope of this MOC:

1) For the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture of Saudi Arabia, Deputy Minister for Environment, the Deputy Ministry for Environmental Affairs.

2) For the Ministry of the Environment of Japan, the head of International Cooperation and Sustainable Infrastructure Office, Global Environment Bureau.

Paragraph 6

Each side will bear, within its available resources, expenses arising from the implementation in this MOC.

Paragraph 7

Any disputes arising from interpretation or implementation of this MOC will be settled amicably through consultation and negotiations between both sides.

Paragraph 8

1) This MOC commences on the date of the last written notification of both sides through diplomatic channels about the completion of the internal official procedures necessary for the commencement of this MOC.

2) The duration of cooperation under this MOC is five years, which is automatically renewable for the same period(s) unless each side notifies the other, in writing and through diplomatic channels, of the intention to discontinue this MOC. Such notice should be given at least six months prior to the date this MOC ends.

3) Discontinuation of this MOC will not affect implementation of projects and activities established under this MOC.

4) This MOC may be modified by mutual written consent of both sides.

Signed on 16 December 2020, in duplicate in Arabic, Japanese and English languages, all texts having equal value. In case of divergence on the interpretation of this MOC the English text shall prevail.