NORTH SULAWESI: WORLD OCEAN CONFERENCE MAY 11-15, 2009

UNCLAS SURABAYA 000047 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR IO, OES/ECG, OES/IET, AND EAP/MTS DEPT ALSO PASS TO DEPT OF COMMERCE/NOAA/RSPINRAD/REPPI E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON EAID TPHY PREL ID SUBJECT: NORTH SULAWESI: WORLD OCEAN CONFERENCE MAY 11-15, 2009 REF: JAKARTA 02712 (NOAA ASST ADMINISTRATOR SPINRAD'S VISIT TO INDONESIA ¶1. During his September 25 meeting with Surabaya Principal Officer, North Sulawesi Governor S. H. Sarundajang requested support for Manado's efforts to host a World Ocean Conference May 11-15, 2009. Governor Sarundajang explained that by hosting the World Ocean Conference, North Sulawesi will call attention to the impact of global climate change on the oceans, noting that 26 Indonesian islands have disappeared as a result of rising seas levels. The Governor added that he took advantage of participation in international conferences on environmental issues to raise concerns about the impact on ocean ecosystems, but too often these events focused only on the impact of climate change on forests and land ecosystems. ¶2. The glossy color brochure describes a "high-level conference of heads of the states that have coastal and marine territories; eminent people; scientists; NGOs, journalists; private sector and stakeholders discussing global ocean issues." The brochure adds that the 2009 World Ocean Conference will "provide a platform where world leaders and decision makers will come together to make commitment for sustainable development of marine resources." In support of his plans, Governor Sarundajang has established a World Ocean Conference 2009 Secretariat (www.woc2009-manado.net) and has begun soliciting SIPDIS international support. The Governor told PO that President Yudhoyono, UNEP, UN Habitat, UNESCO, Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts and Islands, the governments of the U.S., France, Australia, and Germany, NOAA, NSF, and other international organizations had already offered their support for North Sulawesi's plans to host the World Ocean Conference in 2009. ¶3. The Governor hopes to leverage Manado's role as host of the 2009 World Ocean Conference into international publicity for North Sulawesi. The Governor noted that North Sulawesi's primary economic potential comes for tourism, agriculture, fisheries, and marine industries, however the world is not yet aware of North Sulawesi's potential. The conference, he said, would be "a stepping stone for North Sulawesi to be known to the world." Organizers expect approximately 4,000 people would attend the conference. The brochure adds that one of the conference's expected outcomes would be the establishment of a "center of international marine research and development in Indonesia." ¶4. The Governor said he expected Manado's role as the host of the 2009 World Ocean Conference would be finalized during the December UN Climate Change Conference (COP-13) in Bali. He urged that the USG formally reiterate its support for the conference during the meetings in Bali. As reported reftel, the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DKP) Numberi told visiting NOAA Assistant Administrator Dr. Spinrad September 18 that there would be a side event at COP-13 on the World Ocean Conference. MCCLELLAND