INVITATION TO MARCH 9 LAUNCH OF UPGRADED CERF

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000347 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PHUM UN SUBJECT: INVITATION TO MARCH 9 LAUNCH OF UPGRADED CERF ¶1. Mission received the following letter of invitation from Jan Egeland, UN Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, addressed to Mr. Frederick Schieck, Acting Administrator, USAID, Mr. William Garvelink, Senior Deputy Asssistant Administrator, USAID, and Ms. Ellen Sauerbrey, Assistant Secretary of PRM. Exact text of letter follows in para 2 below. The originals have been sent by e-mail to USAID and PRM. ¶2. Begin text: Mr. Frederick Schieck Acting Administrator US Agency for International Development Washington, DC. Mr. William Garvelink Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator US Agency for International Development Washington, DC. Ms. Ellen R. Sauerbrey Assistant Secretary of Population, Refugees and Migration Department of State Washington, DC 17 February 2006 The Secretary-General has the honour of inviting you to a high-level meeting to launch the upgraded Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) on 9 March 2006 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the United Nations in New York. The launch will mark the official commencement of operations of the CERF, the Fund established by the General Assembly on 15 December 2005 through resolution A/RES/60/124. The establishment of the Fund is a major step forward in ensuring a more predictable and timely humanitarian response, and thereby displays our shared global responsibility for the victims of conflict and natural disasters. To that end, we are proud to announce that since the inception of the Fund several Governments have indicated generous commitments (presently $187 million),and in some cases have made cash transfers (presently $140 million). Yet, more is needed to reach the common goal of $500 million as endorsed by the General Assembly. We count on the support of Governments, the private sector, and the media in reaching this important objective at the launch on 9 March. I would like to thank you for the political support already expressed for the establishment of the CERF during General Assembly deliberations. I also welcome the initial indications that your Government may wish to extend this support with a financial pledge and hope that you will soon join the group of contributors to the Fund. I look forward to your participation in this high-level event. To register for the Launch, I would be grateful if your office could complete and return the attached registration form. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration. s/s Jan Egeland Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator BOLTON