Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
June 2, 2016
Today, the United States and India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to facilitate joint efforts to combat wildlife trafficking and promote other wildlife conservation measures in India. Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Catherine Novelli and Indian Ambassador to the United States Arun K. Singh signed the MOU for their respective countries.
The MOU will allow the United States and India to strengthen capacity for wildlife conservation and management in India, including efforts to protect critical habitat, develop scientific information in support of conservation programs, build public awareness, stabilize and increase populations of threatened and endangered species, strengthen law enforcement capacity, and combat illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products. Under the MOU, the two governments also aim to cooperate regionally and globally to combat wildlife trafficking.
The United States values India’s leadership on wildlife conservation and looks forward to working jointly on this important issue.
For more information, please contact Victoria Peabody (PeabodyVW@state.gov) and follow the State Department’s Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs on Twitter @StateDeptOES.
(end media note)