VISAS FOR WIREC 2008 DELEGATES

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 002033 SIPDIS SIPDIS, SECSTATE PASS TO DINT FOR CONSULAR AND ESTH SECTIONS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CVIS ENRG SENV TRGY EPET EAID SOCI KSCA KGHG KPAL, OPDC SUBJECT: VISAS FOR WIREC 2008 DELEGATES REF: A) STATE 563 NOTAL B) STATE 559 NOTAL C) STATE 521 NOTAL D) 07 STATE 138428 E) 07 STATE 80334 ¶1. This is an action request. Please see paragraphs six and seven. -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶2. Summary: The Washington International Renewable Energy Conference (WIREC 2008) will be held in Washington DC March 4 - 6. (See reftels D and E for background on WIREC 2008). The participation of all relevant stakeholders, including government officials, civil society delegates, and private sector representatives in WIREC 2008 is essential to furthering USG objectives (i.e. promoting the uptake of renewable energy as part of the President's climate change initiative.) Post ESTH Officers are asked to encourage delegates to apply for visas as early as possible. Post ESTH Officers should consider providing visa referrals for participants where appropriate and to inform adjudicating consular officers through the referral process of US goals for strong st akeholder participation. End summary. -------------- BACKGROUND -------------- ¶3. Background: The State Department will host the Washington International Renewable Energy Conference (WIREC 2008) March 4 - 6, 2008 in Washington, DC. WIREC is being implemented in partnership with the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE),the United States Energy Association (USEA),multiple USG agencies (USDA, DOI, EPA,DOC, etc.)and the White House (CEQ, NSC). WIREC 2008 is the third global ministerial-level event on renewable energy (Bonn 2004, Beijing 2005). WIREC 2008 is an opportunity to advance the Administration's priority of responding to the challenges of sustainable economic growth and climate change through renewable energy. WIREC also serves as a global platform for ministers and senior level leaders from the private sector, sub-national governments and civil society to advance the integration of renewable energy in their countries. A successful WIREC 2008 requires the active participation of all relevant stakeholders, including government officials, civil society delegates, and private sector representatives. Non-government participants bring to WIREC 2008 technical expertise, cultural insights and practical experience that are critical for realizing these goals. They, even more than government officials, will be instrumental in implementing actions on the ground. ¶4. We expect approximately 2,000 delegates to participate in the Government meetings at the Washington Convention Center. Anticipated breakdown of those 2,000 is: - 750 international government attendees consisting of Ministerial-level delegations of up to 10 per country - 250 USG attendees, including federal, state, and local officials - 500 international private sector delegates - 500 U.S. private sector delegates ¶5. Refs A, B, and C contain formal invitations to official delegations from the European Commission and the following countries: Afghanistan, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Canada, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, the Comoros, Costa Rica, Cote D'Ivoire, Denmark, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Latvia, Lesotho, Libya, Lithuania, Madagascar, STATE 00002033 002 OF 002 Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, the Netherlands, New Guinea, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, the Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Solomon Islands, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Uganda, the United Kingdom, Uruguay, Vanuatu, and the Vatican. (If these invitations do not produce 750 foreign government delegates, additional official delegations may be considered at a later date.) -------------- ACTION REQUESTS -------------- ¶6. The State Department, either directly (refs A and B) or via our contractor United States Energy Association (USEA),will be inviting to the WIREC 2008 Ministerial representatives from developing nations who will require visas for travel to the U.S., including official government delegations as well as members of civil society and private sector organizations. To facilitate the visa application process for those persons who are clearly qualified to serve as delegates for their respective organizations, we ask that ESTH officers consider writing referrals, either A or B, when requested and appropriate, as early as possible to assure that all requisite processes can be completed in time for travel. Type A referrals are only appropriate when you personally know the contacts. If your contacts are not personally known to you, then you should use type B referral forms. The referral is an official communication between ESTH officers and the adjudicating consular officer, which will be linked to the respective visa application. NB: It should not be given to the applicant under any circumstances. The referral should indicate to the adjudicating consular officer that WIREC 2008 is a legitimate meeting, including specific details about the meeting such as date, length of time, location, etc., as well as information about any special expertise that the applicant may have to share at WIREC ¶2008. ¶7. If you are aware that any of your non-governmental contacts will be attending WIREC 2008, encourage them to discuss the visa application process with you prior to making an appointment with the Consular Section. Because WIREC 2008 centers on energy issues, many delegates who have scientific or technical backgrounds will require additional clearances. Prospective delegates should be encouraged to apply as early as possible to allow time for processing these clearances. Referring officers and applicants should keep in mind that a visa referral does not waive or expedite the required processes. Delegates who receive referrals should be advised to bring both a copy of the email inviting them to attend the WIREC 2008 Ministerial and a letter from their organization to the visa interview along with all other required documentation. Emphasize to the applicant that the referring officer has no role in the visa process. Most civil society and private sector delegates will be funded by their respective organizations, but some will be funded by the USG or foreign governments. OES will provide Post ESTH Officers with a list of delegates in their consular districts receiving USG or foreign government funding as soon as it is available. -------------- FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON WIREC 2008 -------------- ¶8. For additional information about WIREC 2008, please consult the official WIREC website at www.wirec2008.gov. ¶9. Minimize considered. RICE