Gov. Martin O’Malley and House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer joined leaders from Virginia and the District of Columbia to announce plans to develop the “Chesapeake Crescent.”

“The Greater Washington region is home to a tremendous number of resources: first-rate institutions of higher learning, prominent businesses, an incredibly well educated populace, a diverse economy and the federal government and its multitude of world-class science and research facilities,” Hoyer said in a statement. “To maximize these assets, capitalize on obvious synergies and effectively compete in the global economy, the region’s public and private sector leaders must work together.”

Organizers described plans “to create a sustainable framework of regulatory and investment actions” that would focus on four areas: Regional Collaboration, Environment/Energy; Innovation/Economy and Secure and Sustainable Development.

“By pooling our resources, we hope to be able to find long-term solutions to some of the pressing environmental, transportation and economic challenges that we all face separately every day,” O’Malley said.

Also appearing at the announcement in Washington were Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine and Rep. Tom Davis and District of Columbia Mayor Adrian Fenty and Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton.