Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09MONTEVIDEO32
2009-01-21 10:22:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Montevideo
Cable title:  

MONTEVIDEO PROPOSAL FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY SPEAKER ON

Tags:  SENV TBIO ENRG EAGR ECON PGOV KPAO ETRD UR 
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VZCZCXYZ0001
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHMN #0032 0211022
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 211022Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 8734
UNCLAS MONTEVIDEO 000032 

SIPDIS

EEB/TPP/MTAA/ABT FOR MSZYMANSKI AND JBOBO, STATE FOR
WHA/BSC MDASCHBACH, WHA/ESPC FCORNEILLE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV TBIO ENRG EAGR ECON PGOV KPAO ETRD UR
SUBJECT: MONTEVIDEO PROPOSAL FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY SPEAKER ON
BIOFUELS

REF: STATE 129940

UNCLAS MONTEVIDEO 000032

SIPDIS

EEB/TPP/MTAA/ABT FOR MSZYMANSKI AND JBOBO, STATE FOR
WHA/BSC MDASCHBACH, WHA/ESPC FCORNEILLE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV TBIO ENRG EAGR ECON PGOV KPAO ETRD UR
SUBJECT: MONTEVIDEO PROPOSAL FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY SPEAKER ON
BIOFUELS

REF: STATE 129940


1. Summary: Post has prepared a proposal for the
organization of a biofuels speaker program in Uruguay in
FY2009. Given Uruguay's interest in energy diversification
and our recent bilateral alternative energy MOU, post
believes this funding possibility could spur development of
Uruguay's biofuels sector and serve to strengthen our
burgeoning scientific ties. End Summary.

PROPOSAL
--------------


2. Embassy Montevideo requests funds to sponsor a
Spanish-speaking expert on biofuels to conduct outreach and a
series of specific technical meetings with participants from
Uruguay's energy sector and other national actors. The
proposed program will focus discussion on issues relevant in
Uruguay and the region at large, such as energy efficiency
and policy-making. The Embassy will leverage media,
government, academia, NGO, and private sector contacts to
maximize the impact of this event.

BACKGROUND
--------------


3. The GOU is striving to reduce energy costs and its
dependency on oil imports and energy supplied by Argentina
and Brazil. The major targets of the GOU are: 1) to focus on
production and consumption efficiencies, and on the security
and quality of its energy supplies; 2) to cover basic energy
requirements, both in terms of quantity and quality; and 3)
to focus on diversifying energy sources, including renewable
energy. A principal objective is to develop a matrix that
will allow the use of different and/or combined technologies
and resources. To achieve these goals, the GOU is
encouraging the production of biofuels, and a law was passed
in November of 2007 to this effect. The USG and GOU also
signed an MOU on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in
October 2008 to promote cooperation in this field. Given
Uruguay's dynamic forestry sector, there is particular
interest in producing biofuels from biomass.

PROPOSED PROGRAM
--------------


4. The week-long program will bring together a U.S. biofuels
expert with journalists as well as with policy makers and
producers from Uruguay's energy sector. It will include
media interviews, appearances at universities and research
institutions, and a visit to the interior of the county to
speak to the actors in current production efforts. It will
also consist of a series of consultations aimed at expanding
the Uruguayan biofuels capacity and feasibility.


5. Program specifics with budget breakdown follow:

Participation of 1 US expert for 5 days

Airfare $2,000
Hotel $ 605
M&E $ 355
Transportation US $ 100
Transportation UY $ 500

Interpretation (as needed) $1,500

TOTAL 5,060



6. Target audiences: Government officials, private sector,
academia, NGOs, media, and general public.


7. Purpose and impact: Pursuant the 2008 U.S.-Uruguay
Memorandum of Understanding to advance cooperation on
renewable energy and energy efficiency, this program will
facilitate the scientific, technological, academic, and
business cooperation that is the aim of the agreement.


8. Proposed length of program: 5 days (2 days in
Montevideo, 1 day of travel in country, and 2 days in the
interior)


9. Name of responsible officer and contact information:
ESTH Officer Erin Markley, who can be reached at
markleyen@state.gov or Tel: (598 2) 418 7777 ext 2429, or
ESTH FSN Cecilia Ramos-Mane, who can be reached at
ramoslc@state.gov or Tel: (598 2) 418 7777 ext 2405.
Matthewman