NOAA SHIP AT WORLD OCEAN CONFERENCE: START OF LONG-TERM,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 002152 SIPDIS DEPT FOR OES AND EAP COMMERCE FOR NOAA USAID FOR ANE, EGAT BANGKOK FOR RDM/A NSC FOR CEQ CONNAUGHTON, VAN DYKE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR EAID KGHG SENV PGOV ID SUBJECT: NOAA SHIP AT WORLD OCEAN CONFERENCE: START OF LONG-TERM, REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP REF: A. JAKARTA 1880 ¶B. JAKARTA 1766 ¶1. Summary. During a November 20 meeting, Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Numberi emphasized the importance of creating a long-term research partnership between the United States Government and countries in the region, and proposed a joint marine research arrangement between the CTI countries and NOAA. The Minister believes the proposed Okeanos Explorer research cruise would make important contributions to understanding marine resources in Indonesia, build public support for actions to protect the marine environment, and build a commitment to marine research collaboration among the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) countries. Minister Numberi stressed the importance of sharing scientific data and information about the Indonesian marine environment globally to promote environmental protection and effective responses to climate change. The head of the World Ocean Conference's (WOC) organizing committee asked for active participation by NOAA scientists at the WOC. End Summary. Okeanos Explorer: A Symbol of Long-Term Commitment -------------- -------------- ¶2. Ambassador Hume and a team from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) met with Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Freddy Numberi on November 20 to discuss the potential voyage of NOAA's research vessel Okeanos Explorer (EX) to Indonesia next May. The Minister emphasized that the EX's maiden voyage should not mark a one-off event but expand the existing, close partnership between NOAA and Indonesia (and his Ministry in particular). It symbolized a long-term commitment to partnership, the benefits of which would--and should--accrue to the entire world, not just Indonesia or the U.S. The EX's presence would introduce the Indonesian public and policymakers to the importance of global collaboration on marine issues, including study of climate change impacts on the ocean and coastal resources. ¶3. The Ambassador agreed that collaboration on marine issues has been one of the most positive areas of the bilateral relationship. He noted that the WOC and the EX research cruise were an opportunity to demonstrate the real and significant benefits of scientific and environmental collaboration, for all the world's peoples. Policymakers need accurate and comprehensive data in order to make better decisions--about marine conservation, coastal development, climate change--and the U.S.-Indonesia partnership is precisely about providing this information in a collaborative, open, manner. ¶4. Background: Indonesia is hosting the World Ocean Conference (WOC) in Manado, North Sulawesi, from May 11-15, 2009. The Government of Indonesia would like the WOC to serve as the backdrop for Summit Meeting of Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) country leaders, who will officially adopt the CTI Action Plan. A key element is a proposed research voyage by NOAA's newest exploration and research vessel Okeanos Explorer timed to coincide with the WOC and CTI Summit (reftels). Minister Proposes NOAA-CTI Research Partnership -------------- -- ¶5. The Minister hoped that the EX's voyage could also mark the beginning of a long-term collaborative research partnership between countries in the region and other governments (especially the USG), beginning with Indonesia. He noted that the ship will be collecting critical scientific information in the Coral Triangle region. The Minister suggested that this was a good opportunity to highlight the practicality of a joint marine research MOU between the six Coral Triangle Initiative countries and NOAA. This would help meet the CTI's research and data needs, and underscore the importance of the region in the public eye. He volunteered to propose this to the other CTI countries at the CTI ministerial meeting in February ¶2009. WOC Update -------------- ¶6. Dr. Indroyono Soesilo, head of the WOC's organizing committee, reported that Indonesia is constructing a floating harbor in Manado bay for the EX. Dr. Soesilo confirmed that the GOI plans for two of JAKARTA 00002152 002.3 OF 002 its Baruna Jaya ships to accompany the EX on the research cruise. He also reiterated the organizing committee's wish for strong representation and active participation by NOAA scientists in the International Ocean Science, Technology, and Policy Symposium component of the WOC. HUME