Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ATHENS2006
2007-10-05 14:30:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Athens
Cable title:
Date Change for Athens "Challenge of Climate" Conference -
how-toVZCZCXRO8125 PP RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHTH #2006/01 2781430 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 051430Z OCT 07 FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0459 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
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
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
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