EL SALVADOR INTERESTED IN ENERGY AND CLIMATE

UNCLAS SAN SALVADOR 000335 SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/EPSC FAITH CORNEILLE DEPT OF ENERGY FOR LINDSAY EINSTEIN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KSUM ECON ENRG SENV SUBJECT: EL SALVADOR INTERESTED IN ENERGY AND CLIMATE PARTNERSHIP OF THE AMERICAS REF: SECSTATE 34126 ¶1. Post delivered reftel talking points to Ministry of Economy energy advisor Salvador Rivas and Felix Ulloa, who is coordinating Ministry of Foreign Affairs' preparations for the Summit of the Americas. Rivas expressed strong interest in the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA) and commented that Central American countries have long been cooperating on energy and environmental issues through the auspices of the Central American Integration System (SICA). (For details of these programs, see www.sica.int/energia) Rivas also noted El Salvador's involvement in USAID-supported energy efficiency programs and cooperation on biofuels as one of the first four pilot countries under the U.S.-Brazil biofuels partnership. He expressed appreciation for past USTDA support for development of a national energy policy and biofuels production, as well as existing programs to expand access to energy in underserved areas as part of El Salvador's Millenium Challenge Compact. ¶2. At the Summit of the Americas (SoA),President Saca will be accompanied by Minister of Economy Ricardo Esmahan, whose Ministry is responsible for energy policy. President-elect Mauricio Funes, who will take office on June 1, will also be part of the official delegation. Based on past discussions with Funes' advisors and his advocacy for sustainable energy policy, post expects his administration to be interested in the ECPA. However, Funes has not yet named who will be responsible for his still-undefined energy policy. With Funes at the SoA will be Hugo Martinez, a candidate for Foreign Minister. BLAU