IRENA PREPARATIONS IN FULL SWING

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 000769

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARP, EEB/ESC/IEC/ENR (MONOSSON, SECOR) AND OES/EGC
(THOMPSON)
AMMAN, BERLIN AND PARIS FOR ESTH OFFICERS

E.O. 12958: 04/05/2019
TAGS: SENV ENRG KGHG PREL PGOV AE
SUBJECT: IRENA PREPARATIONS IN FULL SWING

CLASSIFIED BY CDA DOUG GREENE FOR REASONS 1.4 B AND D

REF: STATE 73217


1. (C) SUMMARY: UAE officials report their efforts to stand up the
Abu Dhabi headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency
(IRENA) are in full swing, in cooperation with Director General
Helene Pelosse. MFA and Masdar officials asked for USG comments on
the IRENA Admin Committee Work Plan and the IRENA Work Program.
Officials also inquired about US plans to second staff to IRENA and
appoint a Permanent Representative. END SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) On July 29, EconOff met with MFA and Masdar (Abu Dhabi
Future Energy Company) officials responsible for IRENA to deliver
reftel talking points on opportunities and challenges in advance of
the October IRENA Admin Committee Meeting and the January Third
PrepCom Meeting. MFA IRENA POC Lana Nusseibah said the UAE is
committed to supporting tangible goals for IRENA to ensure the
organization's success and that the UAE, like the United States,
would remain focused on capacity building. Nusseibah opined that DG
Pelosse has a strong mandate, due to her support from developed and
developing nations, that will be key to IRENA's progress. Serene
Serhan, from Masdar's IRENA Liaison Office, inquired about the status
of USG feedback on the IRENA Work Programme. Serhan said the UAE
hoped to receive US feedback in advance of the October Admin
Committee meeting.

STAFFING
--------------


3. (SBU) Serhan inquired about US plans to name an IRENA Permanent
Representative and second employees to IRENA. She also asked about
US interest in a seat on the IRENA Council. EconOff said such
matters were currently under consideration, noting the USG, as the
largest budgetary contributor, would be an active IRENA member.
Nusseibah commented that she and her colleagues -- as well as DG
Pelosse -- had already received a number of job applications from
individuals who hoped to work at IRENA.

ADMIN CHALLENGES
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4. (C) Serhan asked for USG assistance in reviewing the IRENA Initial
Work Plan (emailed to OES and EEB). Serhan said the UAE, hosting its
first international organization, would appreciate USG input on the
work plan action items and target delivery dates, to ensure both the
organization and timeline is appropriate. While the UAE is willing
and able to dedicate all necessary resources, Serhan said it was
important the timeline be logical and reasonable.


5. (C) Serhan and Masdar colleagues Thani Al Zayoudi and Hadef Al
Shamsi reported DG Pelosse had expected the IRENA offices to be ready
in July and had initially intended to move to Abu Dhabi then. Noting
the UAE IRENA bid clearly stated three months would be needed to
prepare the temporary offices, Serhan said they were looking to the
DG for input into office configurations and technical requirements.
Although Pelosse rejected the proposed temporary IRENA HQ offices,
after reviewing several properties, she accepted an office location
in downtown Abu Dhabi. (Note: The IRENA Headquarters at Masdar City
are scheduled for completion in 2011. End Note.) Nusseibah said
Pelosse would likely visit several times in the coming weeks, and was
expected to relocate to Abu Dhabi in time for the October Admin
Committee meeting.
GREENE