EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC REGIONAL ENVIRONMENT,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 066681

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV XB XC XE XU ID
SUBJECT: EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC REGIONAL ENVIRONMENT,
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND HEALTH CONFERENCE

REF: A. STATE 18520

B. STATE 42286


1. SUMMARY: The Department convened a regional Environment,
Science, Technology and Health (ESTH) Officers Conference
(ESTHOC) on April 15 - 17 for officers and foreign service
nationals (FSNs) covering ESTH issues at posts in the East
Asia and Pacific (EAP) region. The Bureau of Oceans,
Environment and Science (OES) works with regional bureaus to
hold ESTHOC conferences in order to provide up-to-date
information and training to the field and provide an exchange
among ESTH officers, FSNs, Washington-based offices, and
outside experts. - END SUMMARY


2. The Department convened a regional ESTHOC on April 15 -
17 for Department officers and foreign service nationals
covering ESTH issues at posts in the EAP region. OES works
with regional bureaus to hold ESTHOC conferences in order to
provide up-to-date information and training to the field and
provide an exchange among ESTH officers, FSNs,
Washington-based offices, and selected outside experts.


3. This year's EAP ESTHOC was chaired by Acting Assistant
Secretary for Oceans, Environment and Science Reno Harnish,
hosted by Ambassador Cameron Hume, and cosponsored by EAP and
the Department's Regional Environment Offices based in
Bangkok and Suva. The event brought together Ambassadors
Harnish and Hume; Ambassador Robert Loftis, the Special
Representative for Avian Influenza and Pandemic Preparedness;
21 officers covering ESTH issues in the field; four FSNs;
five officers from OES, one from EAP, and officials from
AID/Jakarta, CDC/Jakarta, DOC/NOAA, DOD/NAMRU (Bankgok),and
EPA/Office of International Affairs. Two representatives of
the ASEAN secretariat gave presentations, as did speakers
from the Asian Development Bank, private enterprise and
environmental organizations.


4. Ambassador Hume kicked off the conference, emphasizing
the importance of ESTH issues and giving examples of
initiatives he has undertaken in Jakarta. The ambassador
also gave the closing speech, in which he urged officers to
take a pro-active role in advancing their agendas, including
by taking innovative initiatives to generate media coverage.
The ambassador argued that ESTH issues are an integral
element of the Secretary's "smart power" strategy, and
discussed how he has incorporated these issues at the core of
the new "Comprehensive Partnership" between the U.S. and
Indonesia. America's strength in science and technology is
respected throughout the world, and can help break through
negative perceptions, including in major Muslim nations such
as Indonesia. The U.S. must also recognize Indonesia's
centrality in the global ecological arena: Indonesia is #1
in marine biodiversity, #2 in terrestrial diversity, but #3
in carbon emissions when land use impacts are taken into
account. In addition, Ambassador Hume hosted a reception for
all conference participants that provided an opportunity to
meet with Indonesian government officials and NGOs.


5. OES Acting Assistant Secretary Harnish also welcomed
conference participants and gave a talk on the Obama
Administration's Global and Regional ESTH priorities. The
diplomatic challenges of the U.S. are increasingly driven in
part by competition for natural resources, the impact of
human actions on ecological systems, health threats, and the
impact of these factors on prosperity and security.
President Obama has signaled his commitment to addressing
climate change, and we are now leading by example, helping
spearhead a global "Green New Deal" by including investments
in "green collar jobs" through energy efficiency and
renewables in our stimulus funding. The Secretary's first
trip abroad, in which she visited China, Indonesia, Japan and
Korea in February, accompanied by Special Envoy for Climate
Change Todd Stern, sent a strong message that EAP and
environmental issues are now at the top of the U.S. agenda.
OES global priorities focus on: forging consensus on climate
policy; engaging with China on global environmental impacts;
promoting sustainable use of forests, wildlife, and marine
resources; improving access to safe water and sanitation;
enhancing international cooperation with respect to polar
regions; confronting chronic and infectious diseases;
promoting the Global Positioning System; and strengthening
science and technology partnerships, especially regarding
energy and climate and with Islamic communities. A/S Harnish
also led a discussion that generated specific proposals for
how Washington and posts can improve our effectiveness in the
region.


6. Other highlights included a briefing and discussion on

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Administration climate policy with Deputy Special Envoy for
Climate Change Jonathan Pershing. Ambassador Robert Loftis
joined a panel on Avian Influenza and Pandemic Preparedness.
EPA/Office of International Affairs East Asia Team Leader
Mark Kasman spoke on EPA's priorities and clean energy
programs. Several panels featured presentations by officers
from Embassy Jakarta and other posts in the region exchanging
information, analysis, and best practices in ESTH diplomacy.


7. OES reiterates its appreciation for the extensive support
provided by Embassy Jakarta (reftel State 42286) and all
conference participants. This is one of a series of training
opportunities provided by OES, complementing ESTH courses
offered at the Foreign Service Institute.


8. The conference agenda, background papers and speakers'
presentations are available from OES/PCI Regional Policy
Advisor Erwin Rose.
CLINTON