REQUEST FOR WIREC FOLLOW-UP; CORRADO CLINI DG,

UNCLAS STATE 149963 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR ECON AND ESTOFF FOR COPHENHAGEN PLEASE PASS TO REO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV TRGY SOCI KPAO ENRG IT SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR WIREC FOLLOW-UP; CORRADO CLINI DG, ENVIRONMENT AND TERRITORY ¶1. THIS IS AN ACTION CABLE, PLEASE SEE PARA 3. ¶2. SUMMARY: During the US-Italy climate change bilateral meetings in June, Italy provided enthusiastic support for the Washington International Renewable Energy Conference (WIREC 2008),including the possibility of GOI providing financial assistance for developing country particiation. This letter follows up on that conversation and requests the Government of Italy'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. Clini. (NB: The hard copy of the letter has been delivered to the DCM at their embassy in Washington). ¶4. BEGIN TEXT Dear Mr. Clini: Thank you for Italy,s enthusiastic support of the Washington International Renewable Energy Conference (WIREC 2008),during the US-Italy climate change bilateral meetings. 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, 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 our bilateral meeting, 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.org 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 of up to 10 representatives as well as key developing country stakeholders engaged in renewable energy. 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 your initial conversation with Lori Brutten during that meeting. 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. Given our strong ties in energy and on partnerships, and if you would find it helpful, I would welcome the chance to discuss WIREC 2008 with you with you in greater detail either when you are next in Washington, or via a video or telephone conference call. I would also appreciate your providing me with a contact in your ministry to discuss WIREC,s progress in detail. Sincerely, Reno Harnish Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary. End text. ¶5. No hard copy to follow. RICE