Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs

The Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES), headed by Acting Assistant Secretary Anthony F. Rock, coordinates an extensive portfolio of issues related to science, the environment, and the world's oceans.

The Oceans and Fisheries Directorate, headed by David A. Balton, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Fisheries, has two offices dedicated to international oceans issues. The Office of Marine Conservation focuses on international fisheries matters and related problems and the Office of Oceans Affairs has primary responsibility for international ocean law and policy, marine pollution, marine mammals, polar affairs, maritime boundaries, and marine science.

The Environment Directorate, led by  Deputy Assistant Secretary Claudia McMurray, deals with a wide breadth of environmental issues including environmental aspects of international trade and safeguarding hazardous materials requiring multilateral agreements within the Office of Environmental Policy. The Office of Ecology & Terrestrial Conservation develops U.S. foreign policy approaches to conserving and managing the world ecosystem.

Taking the lead on climate change issues is Harlan L. Watson, Senior Climate Negotiator and Special Representative. Dr. Watson works closely with the climate team in the Office of Global Change.

The Health, Space and Science Directorate includes the Office of International Health Affairs which works with U.S. Government agencies to facilitate policy-making regarding international bioterrorism, infectious disease, surveillance and response, enivronmental health, and health in post-conflict situations. The Office of Space and Advanced Technology handles issues arising from our exploration of space to assure global security regarding this new frontier, and the Office of Science & Technology (S&T) Cooperation promotes the interests of the U.S. science and technology communities in the international policy arena, negotiates framework and other S&T agreements, manages the Department's Embassy Science fellows program, and takes a leading role in representing U.S. science and technology in multilateral international organizations, such as UNESCO and other UN organizations, APEC, OECD, and others.

The Office of Policy Coordination and Initiatives (PCI) employs a long-term, strategic approach to OES goals. It coordinates the Bureau's efforts within the broad conceptual framework of sustainable development, working closely with the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and helping build and promote public-private partnerships. The office manages ongoing initiatives on water and access to energy. PCI also manages bilateral dialogues on OES issues with major partners such as Brazil, India and China, and coordinates environmental cooperation with key countries such as Afghanistan and Iraq.

The OES Initiatives Grants Program (OESI) under PCI direction supports initiatives by the three functional directorates across all regions. PCI also coordinates Regional Environmental Hubs that take a transboundary view of environment, science and health issues from 12 strategically placed Embassy locations throughout the world.