Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|
09JAKARTA399 | 2009-03-06 09:06:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Jakarta |
VZCZCXYZ0000 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHJA #0399 0650906 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 060906Z MAR 09 FM AMEMBASSY JAKARTA TO SECSTATE WASHDC 1766 |
UNCLAS JAKARTA 000399 |
1. (U) Embassy Jakarta is interested in the Embassy Science Fellow Program (ESFP) and requests Department assistance in identifying up to two interested candidates focused on marine and fisheries issues, with specific interest in the Coral Triangle Initiative, and climate change. These fellows would work with the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, and with the Ministry of Environment and the National Climate Change Council, respectively. We would prefer to host a fellow(s) for 90 days, which would require a medical clearance. Security clearance is not required, but is preferred. PROPOSAL DESCRIPTION -------------------------- 2. (U) Embassy Jakarta proposes that the two fellows work on two distinct areas of interest: the Coral Triangle Initiative and partnering with the Government of Indonesia (GOI) on climate change, both detailed below: -- Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) - Indonesia will host the first World Ocean Conference (WOC) May 11-15, 2009 to highlight the relationship between climate change and the oceans. The first CTI Summit of leaders from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and the Solomon Islands (plus two partner countries, the U.S. and Australia) will take place at the same time. The Summit will officially launch a CTI regional plan of action to safeguard the region's extraordinary marine and coastal biological resources. A science Qllow would pick up where this process left off by working with the Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) and the Indonesian CTI Secretariat to identify opportunities for partnership in areas of mutual interest such as marine protected areas and ecosystem-based fisheries management. NOAA would be the ideal agency for this project because it has an existing MOU with the MMAF. NOAA also plans to heavily participate in the WOC. -- Climate Change - Both the U.S. and Indonesia have made climate change a priority. Secretary Clinton recently visited Indonesia, accompanied by the U.S. Climate Change Envoy, Todd Stern. Indonesia has recently established a National Climate Change Council (NCCC), chaired by the Minister of the Environment, to coordinate climate change policies and programs. A fellow from the EPA would be well suited to develop relationships with the NCCC, and identify opportunities for partnership on specific initiatives such as Methane-to-Markets, clean technology for reducing emissions, or joint research on climate change impacts and adaptation measures, to name a few. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT -------------------------- 3. (U) Embassy Jakarta would provide logistical support for up to two prospective Fellows under the ESFP guidelines. We would provide secure office space on the embassy compound with appropriate computer, email and internet access. We will provide housing subject to availability for the specific dates proposed by the program. The Fellows would also have access to the Embassy Health Unit (pending appropriate medical clearances), FPO and CLO. Embassy Jakarta's preferred timeline is a Fall 2009 arrival, Winter 2009 departure. RSO CONCURRENCE -------------------------- 4. (U) Embassy Jakarta is not an unaccompanied post. RSO has supported past Science Fellow assignments to Indonesia and supports the continuation of this program. CONTACT INFORMATION -------------------------- 5. (U) The State Department point of contact for this proposal is Colette Marcellin, Environment, Science, Technology, and Health (ESTH) Officer. She can be contacted by email at marcellinca@state.gov, by phone at +62.21.3435.9069, and by fax at +62.21.3435.9971. Ms. Marcellin will leave Post in July. Colette's back-up is Machut Shishak, Environment and ASEAN Officer. He can be reached by email at shishakma@state.gov, by phone at +62.21.3435.9229, and by fax at +62.21.3435.9971. HUME |