Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08JAKARTA2152
2008-11-21 11:23:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Jakarta
Cable title:  

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

Tags:  EAGR EAID KGHG SENV PGOV ID 
pdf how-to read a cable
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ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 211123Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY JAKARTA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0788
INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK 8556
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 2759
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 5652
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 3324
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 5157
RHHJJPI/USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
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

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