Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10ADDISABABA272
2010-02-10 04:55:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Addis Ababa
Cable title:  

ETHIOPIA AND CLIMATE CHANGE, POST AU SUMMIT

Tags:  KSCA SENV PGOV ET KGHG ENRG 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO0119
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMA RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO
DE RUEHDS #0272/01 0410455
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 100455Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7703
INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE
RUEPADJ/CJTF HOA
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEWMFD/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC
RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
RUEHCP/AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN 0424
RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 0060
RUEHDR/AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM 5710
RUEHKM/AMEMBASSY KAMPALA 0027
RUEHLGB/AMEMBASSY KIGALI 1658
RUEHDJ/AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI 0255
RUEHAE/AMEMBASSY ASMARA 3883
RUEHJB/AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA 0110
RUEHPL/AMEMBASSY PORT LOUIS 0943
RUEHAN/AMEMBASSY ANTANANARIVO 0177
RUEHKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM 0022
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 000272 

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E-JWIEGERT, OES/PCI LSPERLING, MGERDIN,
OES/EGC AVOCKERODT, S/SECC RKASTENBERG

E.O. 12958: NA
TAGS: KSCA SENV PGOV ET KGHG ENRG

SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA AND CLIMATE CHANGE, POST AU SUMMIT

ADDIS ABAB 00000272 001.2 OF 002


-------
SUMMARY
-------
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 000272

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E-JWIEGERT, OES/PCI LSPERLING, MGERDIN,
OES/EGC AVOCKERODT, S/SECC RKASTENBERG

E.O. 12958: NA
TAGS: KSCA SENV PGOV ET KGHG ENRG

SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA AND CLIMATE CHANGE, POST AU SUMMIT

ADDIS ABAB 00000272 001.2 OF 002


--------------
SUMMARY
--------------

1. (U) The Regional Environment Officer (REO) for eastern Africa
met with Dessalegne Mesfin, Deputy Director General of the
Ethiopian Environment Protection Agency on February 9, 2010 to
discuss climate change decisions taken at the 14th African Union
(AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Mesfin provided a readout
of Ethiopia Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's report to the Summit
and gave an update on Ethiopia's latest climate change-related
activities. REO took the opportunity to deliver talking points
on President Barak Obama's fiscal year 2011 budget request to
Congress on Global Climate Change (GCC). End Summary.

--------------
MELES REPORTS TO AU SUMMIT
--------------

2. (U) The 14th AU Summit took place January 31-February 2 in
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Given his role of Head of the African
Delegation in Copenhagen, Ethiopia's Prime Minister Meles Zenawi
presented a report to the Summit on February 1 regarding the
Copenhagen Climate Conference. African leaders expressed their
appreciation to Meles for his outstanding contribution to
safeguard and maximize the benefits and interests of Africa,
acknowledging that he had faced tough challenges negotiating
with many stakeholders. Mesfin confirmed these reports, pointing
out that unifying an Africa-wide position is a success in
itself. Mesfin noted that Meles is both excited and
enthusiastic to have the opportunity to continue in his role as
chief climate change negotiator for the African continent.

--------------
MELES RE-ELECTED AS CHIEF NEGOTIATOR
--------------

3. (U) Mesfin confirmed press reports that Meles was re-elected
to represent Africa as chief negotiator in the next climate
change conference in Mexico in 2010 and South Africa in 2012.
Mesfin informed REO that Dr. Tewolde-Berhan Gebre-egziabheir,
Director of Ethiopia's Environmental Protection Agency (EEPA),
will be Meles' focal point within Ethiopia on all climate
change-related matters. Dr. Tewolde will lead an interagency
coordination process that will include Ethiopia's meteorological

agency and its water, energy, and agriculture ministries, with
the EPA acting as the head agency. Mesfin also described an
environmental council that will serve as an organizational tool
to ensure coordination on environment and climate change issues.
According to Mesfin, the membership mechanism will be chaired by
Meles and will include regional presidents, local environment
NGOs headed by the Forum for Environment, and private sector
members. It will be a forum for discussion and will provide
guidance, supervision, and call for corrective action. REO will
continue to report on this council as it evolves.

--------------
OTHER AU SUMMIT DECISIONS
--------------

4. (U) The Summit also endorsed the Copenhagen Accord, stating
that each member state should report its consent individually
for the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
During the AU Summit, Meles proposed the establishment of a
high-level panel to deal with the implementation of the
Copenhagen climate summit recommendations, where the
international community pledged to give billions of dollars to
mitigate the impact of climate change. While holding discussions
with the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, media reports say
that Meles explained the panel will help mobilize funds and
technical support to Africa, which many countries promised to

ADDIS ABAB 00000272 002.2 OF 002


extend to Africa to tackle the impact of climate change on the
continent. At this point it remains unclear who is envisioned
to reside on the panel.

--------------
FY 2011 BUDGET REQUEST ON GCC
--------------

5. (U) Mesfin appreciated the information regarding President
Barak Obama's fiscal year 2011 budget request on Global Climate
Change, saying that he was both inspired and encouraged by the
data. REO emphasized that the information reflected the
President's request to Congress, not the final amount
appropriated by Congress which is subject to the normal
congressional approval process. Mesfin understood, pointing out
that he greatly respects the U.S.' careful and methodical
approach to challenges. He added that while this approach may
involve front-loaded delays, the implementation phase is often
fast and effective. He said he is eager to work with the U.S.
on climate change issues in Ethiopia and looks forward to more
information and guidance from the U.S. as our policy unfolds.

--------------
ETHIOPIA'S CLIMATE CHANGE STRATEGY
--------------

6. (U) Mesfin explained that Ethiopia drafted its Nationally
Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAS),which is currently
registered under the Copenhagen Accord. The EPA will host a
National Consultancy Workshop on March 1-2, 2010, where
Ethiopia's stakeholders will review a draft Program of
Adaptation to Climate Change (PACC) for Ethiopia. Following the
adoption of the PACC, the EPA will organize a broader
consultation session that reaches out to donor and other
stakeholders. With a finalized NAMAS and PACC that have broad
buy-in, EPA will then begin exploring implementation strategies
that can capitalize on emerging climate change financing sources
and mechanisms.

#YATES

6