LETTER TO SECRETARY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON FROM MALDIVES

UNCLAS COLOMBO 000005 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/INSB, PLEASE PASS TO H E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS ECON EFIN SUBJECT: LETTER TO SECRETARY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON FROM MALDIVES FOREIGN MINISTER AHMED SHAHEED REGARDING THE COPENHAGEN ACCORD ¶1. (SBU) Post received from the Maldivian MFA a scanned copy of a letter from the Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs to Secretary Clinton regarding the Copenhagen conference. The following is the text: BEGIN TEXT OF LETTER Minister of Foreign Affairs Republic of Maldives 30 December 2009 Dear Excellency, As you are aware the Fifteenth Conference of Parties of the UNFCCC fell short of expectations. As one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, the Maldives, nevertheless, was pleased that the Copenhagen Accord was reached, in which we believe lies the basis for further work moving towards Bonn and Mexico City next year. The COP15, as you know, only takes note of the Copenhagen Accord leaving the door open for countries to associate themselves with the Accord. I am happy to say the Maldives has already notified the UNFCCC Secretariat and the Danish Presidency of our decision to associate with the Accord. One of the primary reasons we are eager to activate the Accord is the provisions therein for the fund of thirty billion US Dollars for the next three years which we would like to see launched as early as next year. As you would appreciate, funds are no doubt very critical for vulnerable countries such as the Maldives to undertake urgent adaptation projects and programmes and in reorienting ourselves towards a low carbon future. In this regard, we have urged our G77 and AOSIS colleagues to subscribe to the Accord as we believe that an urgent activation of funds is critical for vulnerable countries such as the Maldives. Likewise, the Maldives hopes that United States of America will also contribute to operationalising the Accord as it is imperative to sustain the momentum for Mexico City next year. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration and best wishes for the New Year! Yours sincerely, Ahmed Shaheed H.E. Mrs. Hillary Rodham Clinton Secretary of State Washington, D.C. United States of America END TEXT OF LETTER BUTENIS