Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BAKU181
2009-03-06 12:43:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Baku
Cable title:
EMBASSY SCIENCE FELLOWS PROGRAM 2009 - AZERBAIJAN
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHKB #0181 0651243 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 061243Z MAR 09 FM AMEMBASSY BAKU TO SECSTATE WASHDC 0873
UNCLAS BAKU 000181
PASS TO OES/STC, EILEEN KANE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON SENV TSPL TBIO EAGR ENRG AMGT APER AJ
SUBJECT: EMBASSY SCIENCE FELLOWS PROGRAM 2009 - AZERBAIJAN
REF: STATE 10843
UNCLAS BAKU 000181
PASS TO OES/STC, EILEEN KANE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON SENV TSPL TBIO EAGR ENRG AMGT APER AJ
SUBJECT: EMBASSY SCIENCE FELLOWS PROGRAM 2009 - AZERBAIJAN
REF: STATE 10843
1. (U) Subject of proposal and general information:
- Topic: Coastal and Marine EcoSystem Management
- Relevant Ministries/Agencies: Ministry of Ecology, Ministry of
Energy, State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR),State Oil Fund of
Azerbaija (SOFAZ)
- Timeframe: 1-3 months, Spring-Summer 2010
- Medical Clearance necessary.
- Language Skills: Russian or Turkish/Azerbaijani is useful, but
not mandatory.
- Security Clearance: Not needed.
2. (U) Proposal Description:
The Absheron Peninsula is one of the world's most polluted regions,
scarred with remains of one hundred years or more of oil and gas
extraction and chemical industrial sites. Severe damage to soil and
water is the result, with air pollution also major concern.
Inadequate waste/sewage disposal and treatment, industrial emissions
and a culture of poor environmental planning, lack of funding and
inefficiency in public administration have compounded the problem,
which has spread to the Caspian Sea. Azerbaijan, with revenue from
ongoing and expanding oil and gas extraction and export, is
committed to clean up efforts, particularly in the Caspian Sea and
along coastal areas. Implementation and effectiveness of
environmental remediation efforts, however, are a major concern, and
are proceeding at a slow pace. Groundwater and surface water must
be tested and monitored, and databases should be developed to aid
with public health and agricultural/fishing policies. Proper forms
of waste disposal, including recycling programs, should be
introduced, with adequate national standards on environmental
protection and enforcement of environmental laws and regulations.
Particular attention should be paid to management of marine life.
Azerbaijan's authorities at the Ministry of Ecology, the State Oil
Fund, and elsewhere, need to develop regional plans to reduce water
and air pollution and decontaminate the soil, especially along river
systems that carry water to the Caspian Sea. They should receive
appropriate training to assist in development of environmental
regulations and compliance and management of marine and aquatic
areas. A Science Fellow, perhaps from the National Science
Foundation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or
Environmental Protection Agency, could greatly assist in these
efforts.
3. (U) Administrative Support:
The Embassy will do its best to provide housing but cannot yet
guarantee housing. The Embassy will provide office support as
necessary through the Political-Economic section. In-country travel
would be available as long as adequate Embassy funds exist to
support it at that time. Embassy cannot support international
travel or attendance at conferences outside Azerbaijan.
4. (U) RSO Clearance:
Embassy Baku RSO does not object to the appointment of an Embassy
Science Fellow to Baku, Azerbaijan during the spring-summer 2010
timeframe.
5. (U) Contact Information:
The State Department point of contact will be EST Officer Selim
Ariturk in the Political-Economic section. His phone number is
(994)(12) 498-0335, ext. 4122; fax (994)(12)465-6671. Back-up
Office would be Economic Officer Shannon Runyon.
DERSE
PASS TO OES/STC, EILEEN KANE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON SENV TSPL TBIO EAGR ENRG AMGT APER AJ
SUBJECT: EMBASSY SCIENCE FELLOWS PROGRAM 2009 - AZERBAIJAN
REF: STATE 10843
1. (U) Subject of proposal and general information:
- Topic: Coastal and Marine EcoSystem Management
- Relevant Ministries/Agencies: Ministry of Ecology, Ministry of
Energy, State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR),State Oil Fund of
Azerbaija (SOFAZ)
- Timeframe: 1-3 months, Spring-Summer 2010
- Medical Clearance necessary.
- Language Skills: Russian or Turkish/Azerbaijani is useful, but
not mandatory.
- Security Clearance: Not needed.
2. (U) Proposal Description:
The Absheron Peninsula is one of the world's most polluted regions,
scarred with remains of one hundred years or more of oil and gas
extraction and chemical industrial sites. Severe damage to soil and
water is the result, with air pollution also major concern.
Inadequate waste/sewage disposal and treatment, industrial emissions
and a culture of poor environmental planning, lack of funding and
inefficiency in public administration have compounded the problem,
which has spread to the Caspian Sea. Azerbaijan, with revenue from
ongoing and expanding oil and gas extraction and export, is
committed to clean up efforts, particularly in the Caspian Sea and
along coastal areas. Implementation and effectiveness of
environmental remediation efforts, however, are a major concern, and
are proceeding at a slow pace. Groundwater and surface water must
be tested and monitored, and databases should be developed to aid
with public health and agricultural/fishing policies. Proper forms
of waste disposal, including recycling programs, should be
introduced, with adequate national standards on environmental
protection and enforcement of environmental laws and regulations.
Particular attention should be paid to management of marine life.
Azerbaijan's authorities at the Ministry of Ecology, the State Oil
Fund, and elsewhere, need to develop regional plans to reduce water
and air pollution and decontaminate the soil, especially along river
systems that carry water to the Caspian Sea. They should receive
appropriate training to assist in development of environmental
regulations and compliance and management of marine and aquatic
areas. A Science Fellow, perhaps from the National Science
Foundation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or
Environmental Protection Agency, could greatly assist in these
efforts.
3. (U) Administrative Support:
The Embassy will do its best to provide housing but cannot yet
guarantee housing. The Embassy will provide office support as
necessary through the Political-Economic section. In-country travel
would be available as long as adequate Embassy funds exist to
support it at that time. Embassy cannot support international
travel or attendance at conferences outside Azerbaijan.
4. (U) RSO Clearance:
Embassy Baku RSO does not object to the appointment of an Embassy
Science Fellow to Baku, Azerbaijan during the spring-summer 2010
timeframe.
5. (U) Contact Information:
The State Department point of contact will be EST Officer Selim
Ariturk in the Political-Economic section. His phone number is
(994)(12) 498-0335, ext. 4122; fax (994)(12)465-6671. Back-up
Office would be Economic Officer Shannon Runyon.
DERSE