INDONESIA SEEKS U.S. SUPPORT AT UNGA FOR RE-ELECTION TO

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 001321 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/MTS, OES, SECC, IO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV AORC PREL ID SUBJECT: INDONESIA SEEKS U.S. SUPPORT AT UNGA FOR RE-ELECTION TO UNEP GOVERNING COUNCIL ¶1. Embassy received a diplomatic note dated July 30, 2009 from the Department of Foreign Affairs requesting USG support towards the candidacy of Indonesia to the Governing Council of United Nations Environment Program (GC UNEP),an unofficial translation of which is provided below. Begin text. Unofficial Translation The Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America and has the honour to inform the latter that the Government of the Republic of Indonesia has decided to present its candidature for re-election to the Governing Council of United Nations Environment Programme (GC UNEP) for the period of 2010-2013, the election of which will be held during the 64th General Assembly of the United Nations in New York on September 2009. As a member of the UNEP, Indonesia has played a significant role and demonstrated the highest interest and commitment in the promotion of the enhancement of international cooperation in the field of environment. One of Indonesia's commitments was shown at the 25th UNEP GC/GMEF meeting held in Nairobi, on February 2009, where the Indonesian Delegation initiated decisions on waste management within the South-South cooperation and negotiated for those decisions to be adopted. Aside from that, during the 25th GC/GMEF meeting, Indonesia was also entrusted to be member of the Bureau of the GC/GMEF representing the Asian Group for the Period of 2009,-2011. The Government of the Republic of Indonesia believes that through its continued participation, Indonesia can play a more constructive role and make valuable contributions to the promotion environmental protection. In view of the above, the Government of the Republic of Indonesia would like to request the support of the Government of the United States of America towards the candidature of Indonesia to the GC UNEP. Attached herewith is an Aide Memoire regarding Indonesia's candidature. The Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the United States of America the assurances of its highest consideration. Jakarta, 30 July 2009 End text. ¶2. The text of the aide memoire follows below. Begin text. 
Indonesia's Candidature for Re-election to Membership of the Governing Council of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) for the Period of 2010 - 2013 Aide Memoire ¶1. The Government of the Republic of Indonesia is seeking support for re-election as member of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme (GC-UNEP) for the period of 2010 - 2013, at elections that will be held during the 64th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, September 2009. ¶2. In order to respond effectively to the environmental challenges, UNEP needs to be strengthened at the global, regional and national levels in order to enhance its significant role in the achievement for a better and prosperous world. In this regards, the support from adequate resources are essential prerequisites for the strengthening of its capacity and functions and making UNEP a more science-base organization. This way, UNEP will continue to be able to promote the coherent implementation of environmental dimension of sustainable development within the UN system and to serve as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. ¶3. Indonesia is of the view that achieving sustainable development through UNEP's three pillars, namely economics development, social equity and environment protection, is essential in the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). It is therefore critical for the UNEP to further continue the full implementation of the Bali Strategic Plan for Technology Support and capacity Building (BSP) for developing countries and countries with economies in transition. ¶4. Indonesia is committed to the international environmental and JAKARTA 00001321 002 OF 002 other related internationally agreed development goals. Indonesia has been actively promoting environment cooperation in various bilateral, regional and multilateral fora. Indonesia is also active in strengthening the South-South Cooperation for technical cooperation including in the field of environment, which complements the South-North Cooperation. ¶5. Indonesia will continue to play an active role at the Committee of Permanent Representatives (CPR) in Nairobi. The Government of Indonesia has always engaged constructively at the regular and special sessions of UNEP Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GC/GMEF) as well as other UNEP and environment related meetings. In 2007, Indonesia became Chair of the G77 and China, Nairobi Chapter. Indonesia has always played an active role in representing the Group in those meetings. ¶6. At the 25th UNEP GC/GMEF on February 2009 held in Nairobi, Indonesia was entrusted to be member of the Bureau of the GC/GMEF representing the Asian Group for the period of 2009-2011. During that GC/GMEF meeting, the delegation of Indonesia initiated decisions on waste management within the South-South cooperation and negotiated for those decisions to be adopted. Indonesia had also served as President of the 23rd GC from 2005-2007. ¶7. Indonesia has initiated numerous important activities, resolutions and decisions at various environmental related meetings. Climate change, forestry, waste management, biodiversity, oceans, renewable energy, clean energy, clean air etc. are among issues that the Government of Indonesia is continuing to invest and mainstream with its national development objectives. ¶8. The government of the Republic of Indonesia has offered to host the 11thSpecial Session of the UNEP GC/GMEF. This has been confirmed by the President of the GC/GMEF and welcomed by the regional groups. The 11th Special Session of the UNEP GC/GMEF will be held in Bali, Indonesia, from 24 to 26 February 2010. It is also scheduled that a simultaneous extra ordinary meeting of the conference of the Parties (known as "Super COP') for the 3 conventions of Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm will be held on 22-23 February 2010, back-to-back with the 11th Special Session UNEP GC/GMEF in Bali. ¶9. In its desire to continue its work in the GC-UNEP and given its strong commitment to the realization of UNEP purposes, goals and objectives, the Government of the Republic of Indonesia would highly appreciate the valuable support of the esteemed Government of the Member States of the United Nations for the candidature of Indonesia to the Governing Council of the UNEP for the 2010-2013 period. End text. HUME