UAE SUPPORT - AND SUGGESTIONS - FOR CAIRO INITIATIVE,

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 001166

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP, OES/STC (LAWRENCE)
STATE FOR USAID/EGAT (DA SILVA)
WHITE HOUSE FOR OSTP - RAO
AMMAN FOR ESTH HUB OFFICER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG SENV ECON KISL KSCA KPAO AE
SUBJECT: UAE SUPPORT - AND SUGGESTIONS - FOR CAIRO INITIATIVE,
SCIENCE ENVOYS

REF: STATE 126780; ABU DHABI 745


1. (SBU) Mission UAE looks forward to supporting the proposed visit
of Science Envoy in first quarter of 2010. As first reported in Ref
B, the opportunities for science and technology (S&T) cooperation
with the UAE are enormous. UAE entities often enjoy strong
financial resources and motivation, but seek to harness USG
specialized knowledge to maximize domestic capacity and share
success stories and expertise with other Muslim and developing
countries. Contacts have been very supportive of the S&T elements
of President Obama's Cairo speech and the Secretary's Marrakesh
speech in November. Organizations responsible for health,
renewable energy, and water issues have specifically approached
EmbOffs to convey their strong interest in pursuing greater
cooperation with the USG. Several entities have even suggested
their organization serve as a regional center of excellence.




2. (SBU) Yet contacts are increasingly frustrated with the lack of
tangible implementation of the Cairo principles over the past six
months. While a science envoy visit in 2010 will be well-received,
the visit would be more productive if it is accompanied by specific
proposals for direct USG engagement on the particular areas of
interest already identified. For example, we would hope the envoy
would be accompanied by USG health officials who could discuss
specific health research and cooperation opportunities with the
UAE. On the positive side, USAID is beginning to engage UAE water
contacts, and the December visit of DOE Deputy Secretary Poneman is
facilitating direct cooperation on renewable energy (septels).
However, these efforts do not appear to be part of a broader
strategy to ensure posts have ability to link interested S&T
entities with appropriate USG partners.




3. (SBU) Mission UAE appreciates the efforts of OES and OSTP to
implement the President's Cairo vision. To support these efforts,
we would suggest specific POCS for particular areas of S&T
engagement (or even geographic regions) be identified so posts
could directly highlight engagement opportunities and discuss
potential cooperation. Finally, post would like to voice its
support for the Year of Arab American Science Partnership (AASP)
proposed by NEA's Regional ESTH Hub. The specific areas of
engagement identified in the AASP would be well-received by UAE
contacts and a tangible application of the Cairo vision.
OLSON