COPENHAGEN FOLLOW UP - MALDIVES ON BOARD, SRI

UNCLAS COLOMBO 000039 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR DREW NELSON, RACHEL KASTENBERG, KATE LARSEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV KGHG IO CE MV SUBJECT: COPENHAGEN FOLLOW UP - MALDIVES ON BOARD, SRI LANKA CONSIDERING REF: STATE 3079 ¶1. Charge Fowler discussed the Copenhagen meeting with the Vice President and Foreign Minister of the Maldives on January 13, noting the Maldives' assistance in crafting the Copenhagen Accord. EconOff subsequently shared reftel points with officials with the Governments of the Maldives and Sri Lanka and urged both nations to formally associate themselves with the Copenhagen Accord. Mr. Ibrahim Zaki, Special Envoy to Maldivian President Nasheed, reiterated the President's support for association with the Accord and noted the government's "intense efforts" both in Copenhagen and since to gain the support of other governments for the Accord. ¶2. Mr. Jayathilake, Secretary of Sri Lanka's Ministry of Environmental and Natural Resources, noted that his government has some concerns about the Accord and "the process" in Copenhagen. He expects to deliver written points to the United Nations in the coming weeks, noting that next week's presidential election may slow things down somewhat. In general, though, Jayathilake emphasized Sri Lanka's desire to support efforts to slow and reverse global climate change. ¶3. Post will continue working closely with the Governments of the Maldives and Sri Lanka to support our climate change goals. Action officer for environmental issues in Colombo is Ken Kero-Mentz. BUTENIS