CLIMATE CHANGE RIFT BETWEEN UNFCCC AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L USUN NEW YORK 000233

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/22/2017
TAGS: ECON SENV UNCSD UNEP
SUBJECT: CLIMATE CHANGE RIFT BETWEEN UNFCCC AND
SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN

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Classified By: Ambassador Richard T. Miller.
Reasons: 1.4 (b, d).


1. (C) Comments to the media March 21 by Yvo de Boer,
Executive Director of the UN Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat in Bonn, fly in the face of UN
Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon's directives quashing the idea

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of a "climate change summit" and have sparked a frenzy in UN
corridors. A well-placed UN Secretariat source with inside
knowledge of the SYG's March 20 meeting with De Boer and
other UN officials (including from UNEP and UNDP) said that
Ban was firm in saying there was "not much appetite" and "no
majority support" internationally for a summit. De Boer and
UNEP reps reportedly conceded the point, but urged the SYG
not to "kill momentum" with a definitive dismissal. The SYG
replied that he will continue to "call for action" on climate
change at the upcoming G-8 summit and at the UN Commission on
Sustainable Development's 15th Session in May. To maintain
momentum, the SYG also agreed to appoint three envoys (one
each from Latin America, Europe and Asia) to "rally support
for political action." But the SYG was firm in saying the
envoys would not be permitted to lobby for or promote the
idea of a summit, nor to discuss a "post-2012 framework" or
in any way be partisan regarding what climate actions states
should take. To be effective, the envoys must be neutral.
UNFCCC and UNEP, in conjunction with UNDP and the UN
Department of Economic and Social Affairs, are tasked with
drafting "Terms of Reference" for the envoys by March 30.


2. (C) Yvo de Boer's March 21 comments to Reuters that Ban's
envoys would "explore the possibility of a high-level
meeting... possibly on the margins of the UN General
Assembly" therefore came as a "shock" to senior UN officials,
including Under-Secretary-General Jose Antonio Ocampo,
according to the UN source. The source noted that de Boer's
statement not only contradicts the SYG's directives, but also
now undermines the credibility of whoever is selected to be
the envoys. (Note: Under-Secretary-General Ocampo, who
leaves office in June, is reportedly interested in being the
Latin envoy. End note.) The source offered to share the
written minutes of the SYG's March 20 meeting as soon as they
are available.


3. (C) Comment: De Boer's press statements were instant grist
for the UN rumor mill given widespread understanding that he
is significantly out of step with both the SYG and majority
sentiments among national delegations. It remains to be seen
if the SYG's spokesperson or de Boer himself will be forced
to retract or "clarify" their position in the aftermath. The
SYG's spokesperson did not address the topic on March 21.
WOLFF