Highlights for January 18, 2005

I. Key Department/Bureau News

• U. S. Signs Joint Declaration on Science and Technology Cooperation: On January 7, the U.S. Department of State and Cape Verde signed a joint declaration regarding science and technology cooperation with the USGS participating as the initial cooperator under this collaborative Agreement. The joint declaration lays the foundation for science and technology partnerships, research projects, and capacity building opportunities in several areas. In the coming months, the USGS will initiate cooperation with interested parties in Cape Verde (such as universities, private companies, and non-governmental organizations) to conduct an information and infrastructure needs assessment to aid in the development of a Cape Verde Islands National Resources Information System that will help support the conservation and restoration of ecological and biological resources. USGS work on these activities is being coordinated out of the Biological Informatics Office. (Toral Patel-Weynand, Reston, VA, 703-648-4217)

II. Notable Congressional Activity
Nothing to report this week.

III. Press/Media Inquiries
Nothing to report this week.

IV. Key FOIA Requests
Nothing to report this week.