Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09AMMAN362
2009-02-08 12:02:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Amman
Cable title:  

Jordan Signs Statute Establishing the International

Tags:  AORC SENV ENRG PGOV KGHG JO 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHAM #0362 0391202
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 081202Z FEB 09
FM AMEMBASSY AMMAN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4408
INFO RUEHAD/AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI 1281
RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 0362
RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 3899
RUEHCP/AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN 0061
RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID 0117
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1548
RUEHVI/AMEMBASSY VIENNA 0085
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0061
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0704
RHMFIUU/HQ EPA WASHDC
RUEHDOI/DEPT OF INTERIOR WASHDC
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC
RUEHRC/USDA WASHDC
UNCLAS AMMAN 000362 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ELA, NEA/RA, AND OES
STATE PASS TO USAID
EPA FOR INTERNATIONAL
USDA FOR FOREST SERVICE/INTERNATIONAL
INTERIOR FOR INTERNATIONAL/WASHBURNE
CAIRO FOR VIALA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC SENV ENRG PGOV KGHG JO
SUBJECT: Jordan Signs Statute Establishing the International
Renewable Energy Agency

REF: A) 08 STATE 134385
B) 08 BERLIN 493

UNCLAS AMMAN 000362

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ELA, NEA/RA, AND OES
STATE PASS TO USAID
EPA FOR INTERNATIONAL
USDA FOR FOREST SERVICE/INTERNATIONAL
INTERIOR FOR INTERNATIONAL/WASHBURNE
CAIRO FOR VIALA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC SENV ENRG PGOV KGHG JO
SUBJECT: Jordan Signs Statute Establishing the International
Renewable Energy Agency

REF: A) 08 STATE 134385
B) 08 BERLIN 493


1. (U) Jordanian Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Khaldoun
Qutishat signed the statute establishing the International Renewable
Energy Agency (IRENA) during the January 26 founding conference in
Bonn, Germany. President of the Jordanian National Energy Research
Center (NERC),Malek Kabariti, also attended the event and speaking
for the GOJ, remarked positively on President Obama's new policies
on climate change and energy. Kabariti subsequently shared with
ESTHOff his desire that the U.S. policy changes would mark a change
in the international image of the United States, and hoped that the
U.S. would join IRENA.


2. (SBU) According to Kabariti, after the signing, a follow-up
assembly meeting will take place in one of the member countries.
Egypt is a leading contender to host the event during which member
countries will decide on the work program, the budget, headquarters,
the seat of the secretariat and the agency's first Director-General
(DG). Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Spain, and U.A.E. are
among the countries which expressed interest in hosting the
headquarters of IRENA. Kabariti noted that Jordan might also be
interested in hosting an IRENA event, but due to the anticipated
large scale, is somewhat reluctant to volunteer. After the
assembly, the DG will build IRENA's organizational capacity with a
view to starting operations by June 2009. IRENA is not part of the
United Nations (UN),but eventually could be considered an
affiliated organization with funding from the UN system, according
to Kabariti.


3. (U) Comment: Jordan has already declared its strong focus on
energy conservation and renewable energy, and as part of its
national energy strategy, set a target of achieving 10 percent of
its energy mix from renewable sources by 2020. Jordan is also
planning to implement several renewable energy projects including
Wind Power Harvesting and Concentrating Solar Power (CSP). To
further promote renewable energy, in 2008, Jordan removed customs
duties and taxes on imported renewable energy equipment. End
comment.

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