USA, Mexico, Canada finalise environment pact

The United States of America (USA), Mexico and Canada finalised on a new Environmental Cooperation Agreement (ECA) on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit in Buenos Aires on November 30 (local time).

The ECA will take effect after the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and it supersedes the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC).

The new agreement "builds on the long history of trilateral cooperation among the three countries to reduce pollution, strengthen environmental governance, conserve biological diversity, and sustainably manage natural resources," according to a statement issued by the US Department of State.

The statement also mentioned that the USA would participate in the trilateral environment Council.

The agreement outlines the countries' conviction of the importance of conservation, protection, and enhancement of the environment in their territories and the benefits of having a continued framework to facilitate environmental cooperation in the form of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation.

The three countries also signed a new trade deal for their mutually dependent countries on the same day.

"Canadians came together, rolled up their sleeves, and put their country's interests first - to maintain stability for our entire economy, protect jobs, and strengthen the middle class. The new NAFTA is signed," Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted.

Several high-level engagements took place on the first day of the G-20 Summit in Argentina, including plenary sessions, which ended with a cultural event at the Colon Theatre.