Assistant Secretary for Water, Environment, and Space Affairs

Section 9 of the Department of State Appropriations Authorization Act of 1973 (22 U.S.C. 2655a) is amended to read as follows: 9. Assistant Secretary for Water, Environment, and Space Affairs (a) Establishment There is authorized to be in the Department of State an Assistant Secretary for Water, Environment, and Space Affairs, who shall be responsible to the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs for international matters pertaining to space, oceans and maritime affairs, polar affairs to the extent not inconsistent with section 2651a(c) of title 22, United States Code, international and transboundary environmental quality, the Great Lakes region, freshwater resources and water security, fisheries, wildlife and wildlife trafficking, conservation affairs, and such other related duties as the Secretary may from time to time designate. (b) Responsibilities The Assistant Secretary for Water, Environment, and Space Affairs shall maintain continuous observation and coordination of all matters described in subsection (a), including, as appropriate, the following: (1) Developing United States policy on global environmental security issues with respect to oceans, fisheries, the Antarctic region, waste and global pollution, water resources and water security and other natural resource management and conservation. (2) Representing the United States in bilateral and multilateral negotiations involving the law of the sea, including— (A) freedom of navigation, overflight, and other lawful uses of the ocean; (B) maritime security; (C) United States maritime zones, including the United States extended continental shelf; (D) marine science; (E) the sustainable management and protection of marine habitats, fisheries, and resources; (F) marine pollution; and (G) maritime claims and boundaries. (3) Leading United States engagement on Antarctica matters and in international oceans and fisheries management agreements and conventions with foreign governments and international organizations to promote solutions that advance United States national security, economic, and environmental interests. (4) Coordinating the development of policies and programs to conserve and manage and rehabilitate or restore economically important ecosystems, including forests, wetlands, drylands, coral reefs, and terrestrial and aquatic agroecosystems. (5) Developing policies and programs to address international threats to natural resources, such as illicit trade, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, wildlife trafficking, illegal mining, and illegal logging and associated trade. (6) Supporting effective resolution of transboundary freshwater disputes to minimize conflict, promote economic growth, and protect freshwater supplies through responsible, science-informed management and shared use. (7) Developing and implementing United States foreign policy related to air, water and soil pollution and risks to human health and the environment caused by the transboundary movement of chemicals and waste and other forms of pollution to promote environmental quality and economic opportunity, with trade partners and in bilateral and multilateral agreements, arrangements, and institutions. (8) Representing the Department in bilateral and multilateral engagements including organizations, institutions, and negotiation of international agreements on issues related to the matters described in subsection (a). (9) Developing policies and programs to secure the supply of critical minerals and other valuable materials available to the United States through recycling, recovery, and seabed mining. (10) Developing policies and programs, in coordination with the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Secretary of Commerce, and the heads of other relevant Federal departments and agencies, as appropriate, to maintain American space superiority by supporting partnerships between the United States and international and private industry partners in the development of infrastructure and policies that promote economic growth in outer space, including— (A) countering malign efforts by foreign adversaries and other actors that threaten United States interests in civil and commercial space; and (B) expanding access to foreign markets for United States commercial industry, including by encouraging reforms that reduce barriers to trade and cooperation with United States civil and commercial space actors. (11) Leading bilateral and multilateral engagements related to civil and commercial space activities, resilient space services, burden sharing, and other matters related to international space law and diplomacy and other United States international obligations and commitments. (12) Leading United States Government engagement with international Global Navigation Satellite Systems providers to ensure compatibility and encourage interoperability of civil global navigation satellite services on United States-based global positioning systems, including through the International Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems. (13) Leading Department efforts to implement international arrangements and promote cooperation on Earth observation satellite systems. (14) Leading United States engagement in multilateral and bilateral forums on international space policy, space law, and related commercial and civil treaties or agreements. (15) Leading Department efforts on transparency in space by maintaining the official United States space object registry and promoting best practices for safe operations in space, preservation of the space environment, space traffic coordination, and space situational awareness. (16) Leading United States efforts to align foreign space law, regulatory, and policy frameworks with United States-endorsed models, approaches, and best practices. (17) At the direction of the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs and the Secretary of State, represent the United States in international maritime diplomacy matters, including— (A) the creation and operation of the Allied Maritime Framework under section 608 of the BUILD with Allies Act of 2026; and (B) leading United States engagement in the Maritime Group of Nations under section 609 of the BUILD with Allies Act of 2026. (18) Authoring any reports produced by the Department which examine the maritime claims and boundaries of coastal countries and assessing their consistency with international law. (19) Leading Department efforts to implement bilateral treaties and agreements related to the management and protection of the Great Lakes. (20) Performing such other duties as the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs may from time to time designate. (c) Appointment (1) Initial appointment On the date of the enactment of the BUILD with Allies Act of 2026, the individual serving as the Assistant Secretary for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs on the day before such date of enactment shall be the Assistant Secretary for Water, Environment, and Space Affairs. (2) Subsequent appointment Any subsequent appointment of an individual to the position of Assistant Secretary for Water, Environment, and Space Affairs shall be subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. (d) Establishment of Bureau of Water, Environment, and Space Affairs The Secretary shall establish a Bureau of Water, Environment, and Space Affairs, which shall perform such functions related to all matters described in subsection (a) and other related duties as the Secretary may from time to time designate. (e) Assistant Secretary The Assistant Secretary for Water, Environment, and Space Affairs shall be the head of the Bureau of Water, Environment, and Space Affairs..