Date Change for Athens "Challenge of Climate" Conference -

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ATHENS 002006 SIPDIS AIDAC SIPDIS STATE FOR M U/S FORE STATE FOR EUR/EX, EUR/SE, EUR/ACE STATE FOR OES/PDAS RHARNISH STATE FOR OES/EGC GTHOMPSON STATE FOR OES/ENV LBRUTTEN DEPARTMENT PASS TO USAID/W, AGRICULTURE FOR MREY, GKIMBALL USUN FOR TMALEY SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ENRG KGHG SENV SOCI EAID GR SUBJECT: Date Change for Athens "Challenge of Climate" Conference - May 08 REF: A) Athens 1892 B) Athens 1761 C) Athens 1741 D) Athens 1714 E) Athens 1640 F) Athens 1800 G) Athens 1723 ¶1. Summary. In response to the recent GoG elections, and the selection of new Minister of Development Christos Folias, the organizing committee of the Athens "Challenge of Change" Climate Change conference announced the postponement of the conference until May 2008. The primary reason given for the postponement is the need to put greater attention into the Ministerial signing of the Athens Declaration - an EU-Mediterranean partnership of 44 countries for policies on new renewable energy and reductions of carbon emissions by 2020. This raised level of attention by Folias offers higher, albeit only cursory, expectations from the conference, thereby increasing the significance of senior USG representation. End Summary. -------------- The Challenge of Change "Summit" -------------- ¶2. Originally scheduled for October 14-16, public information on the climate change conference in Greece remains limited to an English and Russian language website (www.athens-summit.com) (REF A). Initially focused on the energy community, the conference began to show promise with regard to climate change as the ambitious list of speakers started to materialize. On September 18, Econ Officer visited conference organizer, James Angelus. Seeking to capitalize on the increasingly important position Greece is taking in the energy world, according to Angelus, the targeted audience includes corporate and industry leaders in energy. Providing a platform for debate and discussion between corporations and advocacy groups for the prospects for future cooperation, the goal of the conference is to identify a synergistic approach to addressing the global challenges of climate change, rather than each stakeholder working blindly in parallel, or in some cases in opposition to each other. In an August 23 meeting with Econ Officer, Advisory Board Vice Chairman Andreas Papandreou further explained that in gaining the support of both the Prime Minister and the opposition party leader, the board is attempting to create an apolitical setting, as climate change affects everyone equally. -------------- USG Involvement -------------- ¶3. Angelus explained to EconOff that the advisory board is increasingly interested in USG participation and expressed hope that the rescheduled date would facilitate such participation. Angelus expressed a desire for senior State Department representation to speak. Given the potential for high profile press, Post agrees that OES or other State Department participation offers an opportunity for a statement of Administration positions to have broad public impact. ¶4. Following discussions with Staffdel Faleomavaega (D- American Samoa) in late August, the conference invited and recently confirmed Congressman Faleomavaega's participation, speaking on Climate Change issues in the Asia-Pacific region. Additionally, in response to the recent fires (REFs B-E),conference organizers are planning an additional seminar to discuss Fire Prevention and Protection, including USFS Director of Fire and Aviation Management Tom Harbour. Post confirmed both Faleomavaega's office and Harbor were informed of the postponement. -------------- The Athens Declaration and C40 -------------- ¶6. According to Angelus, Folias made clear that the ultimate product of the conference is to be the formal signing of the Athens Declaration, and that the GoG and conference organizers needed to significantly increase the preparation for this event. Additionally, conference organizers are working with the Mayor of Athens to also postpone announcement of Athens's participation as the 39th member of the C40 Large Cities Group (www.c40cities.org) at the conference, as it also aims to reduce emissions and increase energy efficiency in large cities. ATHENS 00002006 002 OF 002 ¶9. Comment. Post was not completely surprised by the inability to organize event in the time presQ lack of details onlQdw Minister of Developm`entified the shortcomings`s well of his intent tottention to detail might speak highly for how seriously Folias intends to take the GoG requirements to the EU, and efforts on emissions and renewable energy. Post feels the opportunity for Department representatives to participate in the conference in order to voice USG programs is worthy. End Comment. COUNTRYMAN