REQUEST FOR WIREC FOLLOW-UP; MR. KESTERIS (HEAD

UNCLAS STATE 149960 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR ECON AND ESTOFF FOR COPHENHAGEN PLEASE PASS TO REO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV TRGY SOCI KPAO ENRG EUN XG SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR WIREC FOLLOW-UP; MR. KESTERIS (HEAD OF CABINET, COMMISSIONER FOR ENERGY) REF: USEU BRUSS 2385 ¶1. THIS IS AN ACTION CABLE, PLEASE SEE PARA 3. ¶2. SUMMARY: On July 18, 2007, OES P/DAS Reno Harnish met with the European Commission's Andris Kesteris (Head of Cabinet, Commissioner for Energy to discuss the Washington International Renewable Energy Conference (WIREC 2008). As part of that discussion, Harnish highlighted the need for strong developing country participation and requested the European Commission's consideration of providing financial support (REFTEL). This letter follows up on those conversations and requests the European Commission's financial support for developing country participants to attend WIREC 2008. END SUMMARY. ¶3. ACTION: Post is requested to deliver the letter dated October 22, 2007 to Mr. Kesteris. (NB: The hard copy of the letter has been delivered to the DCM at their embassy in Washington). ¶4. BEGIN TEXT Dear Mr. Kesteris: Thank you for giving me so much of your time on July 18, 2007 to discuss the Washington International Renewable Energy Conference (WIREC 2008). I enjoyed meeting you, and look forward to our continued interaction in the run-up to and at the event. As the third global ministerial-level event on renewable energy, WIREC 2008 is expected to draw 2,000 senior level participants from around the world, including leaders from national and sub-national governments, the private sector, and civil society. WIREC 2008, which will be held March 4-6, 2008 at the Washington Convention Center, will also feature a co-located trade show/business conference, separately managed by the American Council on Renewable Energy and other partnering organizations from U.S. and international renewable energy associations. Since we met, the United States Government hosted a public outreach event on October 2nd. The launch event drew over two hundred representatives from the private sector, civil society and foreign governments. Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky and Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development Thomas Dorr provided opening remarks and representatives from the White House, the Departments of Energy and Commerce and the Environmental Protection Agency also participated. Please see www.wirec2008.gov for additional information. Robust participation of developing countries from government (federal and subnational),the private sector and civil society will enhance the success of WIREC 2008. We would like to provide financial support for both official delegations as well as key developing country renewable energy experts. Based on our projections, we estimate that $5,500 will be needed to cover the travel and per diem costs for each developing country participant. During our meeting, you indicated the possibility of providing funds to support the attendance of developing country delegates. The purpose of my letter is to follow up on our discussion. I would be grateful for any assistance you can provide to help us achieve our goal. If you wish to provide support for developing country travel, you may provide funds to a special account established by the US Energy Association (USEA) for this purpose. USEA is a non-governmental entity, which has served a similar coordinating role for previous Ministerial-level conferences (and is also serving as our contractor for other aspects of WIREC 2008). USEA will coordinate with donor governments to handle the necessary travel arrangements and provide donor governments with an accounting for the sponsored delegations. Ms. Marjorie Jean-Pierre, Deputy Program Manager, is the USEA point of contact. She can be reached by phone at 1-202-312-1230 or via e-mail at mjean-pierre@usea.org. Please let me know if you have any questions regarding this request as I am eager to hear your suggestions and recommendations. I would also appreciate your providing me with a working contact in your ministry for my staff to discuss WIREC,s progress in detail. Sincerely, Reno Harnish Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary. End text. ¶5. No hard copy to follow. RICE