BRAZILIAN MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SEES GOOD

UNCLAS BRASILIA 000143 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV KGHG ENRG KSCA BR SUBJECT: BRAZILIAN MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SEES GOOD PROSPECTS FOR ENGAGEMENT ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENERGY THIS CABLE IS SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED AND NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION. ¶1. (SBU) At a meeting on January 13, Brazilian Minister of Science and Technology (MCT) Sergio Rezende stressed to Ambassador Sobel that climate change and the related issue of energy are excellent areas for cooperation between the Brazil and the United States. Rezende said that although climate change negotiations are led by the Ministry of External Relations (MRE),his ministry - as well as the Ministry of the Environment (MMA) and the Secretariat of Strategic Planning - has a role to play in determining Brazil's approach to climate change. In particular, MCT oversees a network of government laboratories and research institutes dealing with climate change and biofuels and other energy research. ¶2. (SBU) Rezende encouraged increased engagement between USG and Brazilian researchers to help the two sides better understand their respective positions in the run up to Copenhagen. While these meetings and collaborative efforts would not be part of the formal negotiation process, they would represent an opportunity for both sides to better understand each others' positions and to find areas of strong mutual interest. Rezende also indicated that several non-governmental opinion-makers such as former Environment Secretary for the state of Sao Paulo, Professor Jose Goldemberg - a researcher who recently co-chaired a report on energy and climate change with U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu - can affect this debate. (Note. The Ambassador recently met with Prof. Goldemberg to learn his views on climate change issues. END NOTE.) ¶3. (SBU) COMMENT. Embassy Brasilia has a particularly strong working relationship with the Ministry of Science and Technology. This relationship provides us with a good base from which to help develop a stronger, more robust relationship in the areas of climate change and energy. Post will continue to leverage this relationship to engage on this important issue. END COMMENT. SOBEL