Request for SSI Speaker on Energy and Climate Change

UNCLAS GEORGETOWN 000082 SIPDIS FOR IIP/S CBARONE INFO WHA/PDA TPICKREL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KPAO NS GY SUBJECT: Request for SSI Speaker on Energy and Climate Change ¶1. SUMMARY: Post seeks a speaker under the Strategic Speaker Initiative (SSI) to discuss climate change issues related to conventional and renewable energy production during the month of April 2010. END SUMMARY. ¶2. Proposed program dates: Mission requests two program days in April, specifically April 19-20 so that the speaker will be available for Suriname's proposed program. This is an SSI request: the speaker would also travel to Paramaribo, Suriname. ¶3. MPP Strategic Goal: Encouraging market-directed, socially responsible growth and further consolidating democratic governance. ¶4. Background and program purpose: Guyana is perceived by many climate change experts to be an emerging leader for its Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) efforts. At the same time, the country's off-shore zone holds one of the hemisphere's large, untapped sources of oil and gas. There is little public discourse in Guyana about the relative net benefits of pursuing a conventional versus renewable energy development policy. We now seek a speaker on this topic to engage the greater public about the trade-offs involved in pursuing both conventional and alternative energy policies. ¶5. Audience: The speaker will address selected opinion-makers in media, government, academia, conservation groups and private sector organizations. ¶6. Proposed topics and nature of events: A workshop/panel discussion with environmentalists, economists, policy makers and media. ¶7. Type of specialist required: A speaker with a suitable technical and policy background capable of addressing the relative merits of developing conventional and renewable energy resources in a developing country. Post needs a speaker that can directly address both and ideally has experience working in developing countries. ¶8. Language: English. ¶9. Funding specifics: SSI. ¶10. Post program officers: Richard Bakewell, Economic/Commercial Officer, tel: (592) 226-4309; cell: 623-2024; email: BakewellRA@state.gov. Erik Anderson, PD Officer, Paramaribo, Suriname email: AndersonEM@state.gov. WILLIAMS