FSN Conference in Doha on ESTH Builds Awareness,

UNCLAS AMMAN 009899 SIPDIS INFO ALL NEAR EAST COLLECTIVE ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY COLLECTIVE HQEPA WASHDC DEPT OF HHS WASHDC DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC HHS for Fogarty International Center State pass USAID Commerce for FCS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV AFSI KGLB QA XF SUBJECT: FSN Conference in Doha on ESTH Builds Awareness, Network ¶1. Summary: FSNs from Embassies Kuwait, Sanaa, Amman, and Doha and Consulate General Dubai met with Regional Hub Officer and Doha Econ/Pol officers on December 21 to learn about environment, science, technology and health (ESTH) issues. The conference included an introduction to ESTH topics, an overview of USG institutions and policy objectives, a discussion of the relevance of ESTH issues in economic and politics relations, and a roundtable discussion on ESTH issues in the region. End summary. FSNs are an Underutilized Asset on ESTH Issues -------------- - ¶2. The Regional ESTH Hub and Embassy Doha convened a one- day mini-conference of FSNs from Gulf countries to discuss ESTH issues. Given that ESTH issues are frequently a small part of multi-issue portfolios managed by entry-level officers with little ESTH background, our FSNs represent an underutilized asset for posts' ability to engage, report, respond and lead on ESTH issues. These issues are becoming an integral part of normal political, economic, cultural, military and commercial relations. The Amman-based ESTH Hub is a resource for NEA officers and FSNs on these issues. Why ESTH? The Globe is Our Backyard -------------- ¶3. Although some time was spent in the conference on introducing ESTH issues and the relevant USG agencies, the central theme of the discussion was why ESTH issues matter in US foreign policy. The reasons span the gamut of core USG interests in peace, prosperity, health and safety, and good governance. They include protecting American citizens, advancing American economic and commercial interests, promoting greater freedom, and engendering friendly international relations. Leading Edge for Governance, Public Diplomacy -------------- ¶4. ESTH issues are often very important to average citizens and generally perceived as politically neutral and win-win. They represent important areas of engagement in their own right, and as entry points for governance issues such as transparency, fact-based decision-making, and public participation. A participant in a recent regional workshop noted only half tongue-in-cheek that the avian flu issue has done nothing but good in the Middle East, since it has induced countries there to work together. ESTH issues are also good vehicles for public outreach and for presenting a positive face of American society. Wide Range of Valuable USG Programs -------------- ¶5. FSN participants, representing decades of service to the USG, also discussed Embassy resources for engaging on ESTH issues, with a focus on NEA. These include generic tools such as the International Visitor Program and the Speakers Program, but also ESTH-specific programs such as Embassy Science Fellows and OES Initiative grants. Hub Officer introduced ESTH projects such as the Middle East Cancer Consortium, GLOBE, the Middle East Desalination Research Center in Muscat, the SESAME synchrotron "light source" for industrial R&D, Middle East Regional Cooperation (MERC) research grants, MEPI-supported programs on environmental law and pollution prevention, and an alphabet soup of other projects: TRIDE, MARD, BARD, CMC, and EXACT. ¶6. Comment: ESTH Hub and Embassy Doha appreciate the support of participating posts, and commend the participants themselves for expanding their skill sets and building a regional FSN network. The Hub plans to organize similar events again in the Gulf and in other areas of NEA. ¶7. Embassy Doha has cleared this cable. HALE