INDONESIA: ADVANCING OUR CLIMATE CHANGE AGENDA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 000266 SIPDIS STATE ALSO FOR EAP/MTS AND OES COMMERCE FOR NOAA USAID FOR RDMA/BANGKOK AND ANE NSC FOR HAROLD VARMUS AND CEQ E.O. 12598: N/A TAGS: SENV TBIO EAID ECON PREL ID SUBJECT: INDONESIA: ADVANCING OUR CLIMATE CHANGE AGENDA JAKARTA 00000266 001.2 OF 002 FROM AMBASSADOR CAMERON HUME ¶1. (U) Summary. President Yudhoyono intends to raise with the Secretary on February 19 the World Ocean Conference (WOC) and the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) Summit, both scheduled to take place in Indonesia in mid-May. Neither Indonesia nor the United States is now adequately prepared for these meetings. The WOC will issue a declaration on ocean issues that will influence subsequent climate change negotiations, and the CTI Summit will launch the first significant multilateral program aimed at preserving the world's richest marine environment. This message proposes several steps to get USG preparations on track. End Summary. -------------- May 2009: The World Ocean Conference -------------- ¶2. The World Ocean Conference scheduled for May 11-15, 2009, will focus on how oceans influence and are influenced by climate change, culminating in the signing of the Manado Ocean Declaration. Indonesians are expecting 2,500 participants from over 100 countries, including government officials, scientists, NGO representatives and journalists. The Manado Ocean Declaration, still in preparation, will highlight the role of the ocean in regulating climate change and the importance of protecting the ocean to mitigate and adapt to climate change. The Conference and Declaration will influence the development of global oceans policy and focus attention on ocean-climate change linkages in the lead up to Copenhagen. Indonesian representatives will be discussing the draft in Washington on February 19, and Indonesia is hosting a second drafting session in Jakarta on February 26-27. Washington needs to send oceans officials for this drafting session. ¶3. The best way to keep the WOC on a constructive track is through active engagement by the United States to shape the final Declaration and manage the process, particularly linkages to Copenhagen. This engagement should include the strong presence and active participation by our researchers and officials during the WOC. -------------- The Coral Triangle Initiative -------------- ¶4. The Coral Triangle Initiative (encompassing Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste) is the epicenter of marine biodiversity on earth. But it is at risk from destructive and illegal fishing practices, poor coastal resources management, and climate change. For example, 80% of the world's tuna comes from these waters. The collapse of the tuna fishery here would have devastating consequences for Indonesians and American consumers alike. Failure to manage this immense area sustainably would have global consequences, especially in the context of climate change. From ocean acidification to loss of biodiversity to food and maritime security--whatever the issue--this vast area is strategically important. ¶5. President Yudhoyono unveiled the CTI at the 2007 Bali Climate Change conference to address environmental threats to coastal and marine resources. The United States and Australia participated as CTI "inaugurating partners." President Bush endorsed the CTI proposal at the 2007 APEC Summit. The United States, the largest bilateral donor, has already pledged $32 million to the CTI over the next five years. On May 15, the respective leaders will formally launch the CTI at a summit immediately following the World Ocean Conference. Five Heads of Government have confirmed their planned attendance, with the sixth (Malaysia) not confirming due to pending elections. Australian Prime Minister Rudd plans to participate. To date, the United States, the only other inaugurating partner to the CTI, has not identified its representative. -------------- Benefits of a Successful Conference -------------- ¶6. (U) Strong USG support of the WOC and CTI would help get this vast marine area under sustainable management, advance our climate objectives by influencing the Manado Declaration and Conference, and demonstrate progress under our bilateral strategic partnership. JAKARTA 00000266 002.2 OF 002 -------------- Making it Happen: Some Recommendations -------------- ¶7. (U) Twelve weeks remain before the conference begins. The Indonesian government is working to finalize plans for the conference but needs support from other governments, including the United States. Although several USG agencies have been involved in conference planning, we need a designated senior leader with responsibility to galvanize the process. We recommend the following: -- Designate a high level special envoy, perhaps a former senior State official familiar with environmental issues, to lead and coordinate interagency efforts, to engage quickly in the region with the Indonesians and other parties, to reach out to Americans who should be at the summit (in academia, the private sector, and the NGO community) and to shape our environmental, scientific and climate change messages. The envoy can chair a new Deputy Assistant Secretary-level inter-agency working group on the WOC and CTI, including NOAA, CEQ, EPA, NSF, USAID, etc. -- Commit to sending a cabinet level official to attend the conference (or a distinguished American like former Vice President Al Gore) and identify other members of the delegation. Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Freddy Numberi has invited NOAA Administrator Dr. Jane Lubchenco to participate in the WOC and CTI Summit. But additional senior U.S. representation from State and USAID is needed. -- Encourage and solicit Senate and Congressional participation. HUME