U.S. EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan Unveils Environmental Commitments for Africa in Digital Press Briefing

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael S. Regan in a digital press briefing scheduled for Monday, January 29, 2024, will announce a series of commitments aimed at addressing environmental priorities in Africa. This comes on the last day of his mission to Mozambique and Ghana, where Administrator Regan has been actively engaging with local communities and officials.

Administrator Regan, the 16th Administrator of the U.S. EPA and the first Black man to hold the position, will unveil initiatives covering a spectrum of environmental challenges. The commitments include measures to protect clean air, promote responsible mining of critical minerals, enhance recycling practices for plastics and electronic waste, and foster cultural and environmental exchanges between schools in America and Ghana.

The digital press briefing is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. Johannesburg time, 8:30 a.m. GMT, and 3:30 a.m. ET. English will be the primary language, with Portuguese interpretation provided.

Administrator Regan’s commitment to environmental issues stems from his upbringing in Goldsboro, North Carolina, where he developed a passion for the environment through experiences like hunting and fishing with his father and grandfather. As the son of public servants, his dedication to public service has been a guiding force throughout his career.

Before assuming the role of EPA Administrator, Michael Regan served as the Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, where he played a pivotal role in addressing climate change, overseeing the state’s transition to a clean energy economy, and securing the largest coal ash cleanup in U.S. history.

During the press briefing, Administrator Regan will share insights into the EPA’s commitment to environmental justice, evidenced by his efforts in North Carolina to establish the state’s first-of-its-kind Environmental Justice and Equity Advisory board.

The initiatives to be announced underline Administrator Regan’s philosophy of consensus-building and open dialogue, emphasizing the interconnectedness of environmental protection and economic prosperity.

Following his remarks, Administrator Regan will entertain questions from participating members of the media. The digital press briefing is expected to shed light on the EPA’s proactive approach to addressing environmental challenges not only domestically but also on the global stage.

Members of the media interested in attending the briefing can RSVP by clicking here. Login information for the digital press briefing will be provided upon confirmation.

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