Request for Applications From Individuals Interested in Serving as an Indigenous Peoples' Representative on the Observer Delegation From the United States to the Partnership Council of the Indigenous Peoples Economic and Trade Cooperation Arrangement, 86074-86075 [2024-25111]

Agencies

• Office of the United States Trade Representative

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 209 (Tuesday, October 29, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 86074-86075]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-25111]



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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE


Request for Applications From Individuals Interested in Serving 
as an Indigenous Peoples' Representative on the Observer Delegation 
From the United States to the Partnership Council of the Indigenous 
Peoples Economic and Trade Cooperation Arrangement

AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.

ACTION: Request for applications.

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SUMMARY: The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) 
has led the United States' efforts on the Indigenous Peoples Economic 
and Trade Cooperation Arrangement (IPETCA) since the United States 
became an Observer to the IPETCA Partnership Council--the governing 
body of IPETCA--in April 2024. USTR is accepting applications from 
qualified individuals interested in serving a two-year term (with an 
option to extend for a third year) as an Indigenous Peoples' 
representative alongside U.S. government representatives on the 
observer delegation from the United States.

DATES: Submit applications no later than 5 p.m. EST on December 6, 
2024.

ADDRESSES: Submit applications to the Office of Intergovernmental 
Affairs and Public Engagement (IAPE) at [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anthony Reyes, IAPE Director and 
Advisor, at [email protected] or 202.395.2226.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    IPETCA is a non-binding arrangement initiated by New Zealand on the 
margins of its 2021 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) host year. 
Participating economies include New Zealand, Australia, Canada and 
Chinese Taipei. The goal of IPETCA is to establish a framework for 
facilitating cooperation between participating economies to identify 
and remove barriers to Indigenous Peoples' economic empowerment and 
participation in trade. The texts of IPETCA and the IPETCA Partnership 
Council Terms of Reference are available at: https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/trade/nz-trade-policy/the-indigenous-peoples-economic-and-trade-cooperation-arrangement.
    In response to input during USTR's Tribal consultation meetings and 
engagement with Indigenous Peoples, the United States became an 
Observer to the IPETCA Partnership Council in April 2024. The 
Partnership Council is composed of up to two representatives of each 
participating economy and up to two Indigenous Peoples' representatives 
from each participating economy unless decided otherwise. Among other 
functions, the IPETCA Partnership Council has developed and approved a 
work program to determine, organize and facilitate activities under the 
IPETCA and decide the priorities for shared cooperation activities. The 
Partnership Council also is expected to consider encouraging 
appropriate multilateral and regional organizations to support projects 
that enable participation of Indigenous businesses in trade and 
investment, while emphasizing the important contributions made by 
Indigenous women-owned businesses in the export of goods and services. 
The IPETCA Partnership Council is expected to meet four to five times 
annually, with at least one in-person event (location to be determined) 
at the call of the co-chairs of the IPETCA Partnership Council or their 
designee.

II. Requirements To Be an Indigenous Peoples' Representative

    The U.S. Trade Representative anticipates appointing up to three 
people to serve as Indigenous Peoples' representatives on the Observer 
delegation from the United States to the IPETCA Partnership Council, to 
represent the interests in international trade policy of Indigenous 
communities in the United States, including American Indians, Alaska 
Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. USTR is accepting 
applications from qualified individuals interested in serving a two-
year term, with an option to extend for a third year. USTR expects 
Indigenous Peoples' representatives who participate as part of the 
Observer delegation from the United States to attend all meetings of 
the IPETCA Partnership Council. This is expected to include three to 
four virtual meetings, and one in-person meeting each year. The in-
person meeting typically is held on the sidelines of the APEC Economic 
Leaders Week meetings and will require international travel. USTR may 
be able to subsidize travel costs associated with in-person meetings of 
the IPETCA Partnership Council.
    The foremost consideration for applicants is their ability to 
engage with U.S. government representatives to ensure robust 
participation by Indigenous Peoples in IPETCA meetings and activities, 
as appropriate. Other criteria include the applicant's knowledge of and 
expertise in international trade policy, the work of USTR, and economic 
development relevant to their community. In addition to general trade, 
investment and development issues, representatives must have expertise 
in areas such as:
     Understanding barriers to Indigenous Peoples' access to 
and participation in international trade.
     Identifying possible solutions to better incorporate 
Indigenous Peoples into U.S. trade policy.
     Developing and presenting actionable recommendations to 
U.S. government officials.
     Understanding Indigenous government, economies, or 
business administration.
     Eliminating barriers to equity, equality, and economic 
opportunity and promoting understanding of the projected impact of 
proposed trade policies on Indigenous communities in the United States.
    The Indigenous Peoples' representatives will serve at the 
discretion of the U.S. Trade Representative for two-year terms, with an 
option to extend for a third year. The U.S. Trade Representative may 
reappoint individuals for any number of terms.
    USTR is committed to a trade agenda that advances racial and gender 
equity, equality and economic empowerment and will seek advice and 
recommendations on trade policies that enhance resiliency, 
sustainability and broad-based economic growth. USTR strives to build 
trusted, sustained lines of communication with those who will be 
impacted by trade policy decisions in order to better understand the 
projected impact of proposed trade policies on all communities, 
including underserved, marginalized and overburdened communities.
    USTR strongly encourages diverse backgrounds and perspectives and 
will make appointments without regard to political affiliation and in 
accordance with equal opportunity practices that promote diversity, 
equity, inclusion and accessibility. USTR will strive to ensure balance 
in terms of points of view, sectors, demographics, geography, entity or 
organization size, and other factors relevant to USTR's needs.

III. Request for Applications

    To apply, an applicant must meet the eligibility criteria described 
in Section II at the time of application. In addition, an applicant, if 
selected as an Indigenous Peoples' representative from the United 
States, will be required at all times during the representative's term 
of

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service to comply with the following conditions:
    1. They must be a U.S. citizen.
    2. They cannot be a full-time employee of a U.S. governmental 
entity.
    3. They cannot be a federally registered lobbyist.
    4. They cannot be registered with the U.S. Department of Justice 
under the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
    5. For a representative sponsored by an organization, they must be 
associated with a U.S. organization whose members (or funders or 
mission) have a demonstrated interest in issues relevant to Indigenous 
representation and economies.
    6. For eligibility purposes, a `U.S. organization' is an 
organization established under the laws of the United States, that is 
controlled by U.S. citizens, by another U.S. organization (or 
organizations), or by a U.S. entity (or entities), determined based on 
its board of directors (or comparable governing body), membership and 
funding sources, as applicable. To qualify as a U.S. organization, more 
than 50 percent of the board of directors (or comparable governing 
body) and more than 50 percent of the membership of the organization to 
be represented must be U.S. citizens, U.S. organizations, or U.S. 
entities. Additionally, at least 50 percent of the organization's 
annual revenue must be attributable to nongovernmental U.S. sources.
    In order to be considered for appointment as an Indigenous Peoples' 
representative, qualified individuals should submit the following to 
the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement at 
[email protected] by the December 6, 2024, 5 p.m. EST 
deadline:
     Name, title, affiliation, and contact information of the 
applicant.
     The applicant's personal resume.
     A statement explaining how the applicant meets the 
eligibility criteria, why USTR would benefit from having the applicant 
on the U.S. Observer delegation, and how the applicant can serve the 
interests of all Indigenous communities in the United States.
    USTR will consider applicants who meet the eligibility criteria in 
accordance with equal opportunity practices that promote diversity, 
equity, inclusion and accessibility.

Roberto Soberanis,
Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Intergovernmental Affairs and 
Public Engagement, Office of the United States Trade Representative.
[FR Doc. 2024-25111 Filed 10-28-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3390-F4-P