ETHIOPIA BIOTECHNOLOGY OUTREACH FUNDING REQUEST

UNCLAS ADDIS ABABA 003008 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT EEB/TPP/MTAA/ABT FOR MARCELLA SZYMANSKI AND JACK BOBO ALSO AF/E FOR JOEL WIEGERT E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR ECON ETRD TBIO ET SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA BIOTECHNOLOGY OUTREACH FUNDING REQUEST REF: STATE 122732 ¶1. (SBU) In accordance with reftel guidance, Embassy Addis Ababa submits the following request for biotechnology outreach funds to support a biotechnology workshop to be held by the Government of Ethiopia (GoE) in Addis Ababa February 2-4, 2010. USAID/Ethiopia is also supporting this effort. COST: USD 5,500.00 is requested to support travel and lodging expenses for conference speakers. Subject matter expert speakers from South Africa, Egypt, Kenya, and possibly the U.S. will be invited. TARGET AUDIENCES: High-level GoE decision makers, particularly in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Environmental Protection Authority, and Prime Minister's Office. AG-BIOTECH ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED: Biotechnology and its impact on agricultural productivity and agribusiness in the African context. Promoting agriculture biotechnology with regard to domestic food security and agricultural products for export. Regulatory frameworks in neighboring countries, lessons learned in the implementation of biosafety legislation. PURPOSE AND IMPACT: To educate high level GoE decision makers about agriculture biotechnology and the potential implications of the country's new biosafety legislation. LENGTH OF PROGRAM: Three days SPEAKER ARRANGEMENTS: Embassy Addis Ababa and USAID/Ethiopia will make speaker arrangements directly. Post will not use the IIP Speaker Program. POST CONTACT: Skye Justice, Political/Economic Officer. Telephone +251-11-517-4111 or IVG 750-4111, email justicess@state.gov