Today, USAID Administrator Samantha Power and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael S. Regan signed a Memorandum of Understanding that formalizes the leaders' joint commitment to cooperate in tackling the challenges of climate change, air and water pollution, lead poisoning, recycling of materials from plastics and electronic waste, and encouraging the responsible management of critical minerals.
Globally, approximately 1 in 3 children have elevated blood lead levels, and lead poisoning kills at least 1.6 million people each year - with the vast majority of these deaths in low- and middle- income countries. Administrator Power is advocating for a global drive to support low- and middle-income countries in rolling out and enforcing binding regulations to curtail lead in consumer goods like paint, spices, and cosmetics. In January, USAID joined EPA in supporting the global partnership to eliminate lead paint.
Another shared priority is the responsible and sustainable management of critical minerals. As the world transitions to green energy sources and we scale clean energy supply chains, demand for critical minerals that power these technologies could benefit millions through inclusive, sustainable economic growth, if mined responsibly. USAID and EPA are collaborating to advance strong standards and safeguards for the sustainable mining of critical minerals around the world.
USAID and EPA have a history of effective collaboration on some of the world's biggest environmental issues. Together, USAID and EPA are ready to build on our history of collaboration, bringing together USAID's international leadership and in-country presence and programs and EPA's wealth of knowledge and technical expertise to build capacity to protect health and the environment and advance a freer and more equitable world.
