ARAB FUND TO HOST COORDINATION MEETING WITH ARAB

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 004489 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE PASS TO F/TOBIAS, C/ZELIKOW, AND NEA DAS GRAY AND ARP, RA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON EFIN EAID KU SUBJECT: ARAB FUND TO HOST COORDINATION MEETING WITH ARAB DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTIONS REF: A. KUWAIT 2025 ¶B. KUWAIT 883 ¶C. KUWAIT 399 ¶1. (SBU) Post received on November 19 the invitation letter contained in para 3 addressed to Director of Foreign Assistance and USAID Administrator Tobias. The invitation is for a high-level coordination meeting with Arab development institutions to be hosted by the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development in Kuwait on February 4, 2007. ¶2. (SBU) Background: During a May 31 meeting (Ref A),the Ambassador briefed Arab Fund Director General Abdulatif Al-Hamad on USG efforts to consolidate development responsibilities under a single authority and noted the appointment of Ambassador Tobias as concurrent Director of Foreign Assistance and USAID Administrator. The Ambassador also encouraged closer engagement and coordination between the USG and development organizations in the Arab world to advance shared interests in the region, an idea to which Al-Hamad responded enthusiastically. Ambassador also briefed the Director of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development on May 29, who was similarly receptive to the idea of increased coordination and looked forward to reinvigorating ties with USAID that have been largely dormant for more than a decade. Al-Hamad indicated to the Ambassador that the Arab Fund planned to host in the near future a high-level coordination meeting that would gather together key international donors. During a meeting this summer in Washington, Ambassador LeBaron briefed Ambassador Tobias about this initiative and indicated an invitation letter would be forthcoming. (Text of the letter at para. 4; original being FEDEXed to F.) ¶3. (SBU) RECOMMENDATION: Given USG interests in gaining more Arab funding for development in Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, Yemen and (eventually) Palestine, Ambassador urges a positive and prompt acceptance of this invitation. A delegation led by Amb. Tobias, with USAID, MCC and other USG elements would signal our seriousness about coordinating with the Arab aid organizations and produce both short and long-term mutual benefits. Such coordination would also provide important insights into how the Arab donors establish priorities and manage their assistance portfolios. We are confident that the Arab Fund led by Addulatif Al-Hamad, who a number of senior State and Treasury officials have met in Kuwait over the last year, will put together a useful, focused meeting. ¶4. (SBU) Begin Text Of Invitation Letter: Dear Mr. Tobias, It gives me great pleasure to invite you to participate in a high-level meeting with all Arab development institutions, scheduled to be held at the Arab Fund Headquarters in Kuwait, on February 4, 2007. The meeting aims to stimulate coordination between the Arab development institutions (the Coordination Group), international donors and development institutions, as well as to initiate dialogue and continued cooperation between us. The Coordination Group consists of the Islamic Development Bank Group (ISDB),the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (Abu Dhabi Fund),the OPEC Fund for International Development (Saudi Fund),the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (Arab Fund),the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED),and the Arab Monetary Fund (AMF). It strives to maximize its role in the realm of development assistance, via coordinating its efforts to raise the level of joint financing in projects and programs to ensure greater effectiveness in management. It also aims to increase the level of integration between the operations of these institutions through continued coordination and cooperation. The institutions of the Group seek to broaden the scope of cooperation through consultation and interaction with international donors. We sincerely hope that your work schedule will permit you to join us, and look forward to your fruitful contribution and insight for a successful meeting. Assuring you of my highest consideration. KUWAIT 00004489 002 OF 002 Signed, Abdelatif Y. Al-Hamad, Director General/Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development. End Text. ********************************************* * For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/?cable s Visit Kuwait's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/ ********************************************* LeBaron