NOAA Administrator's Indonesia Visit Drives Climate,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 JAKARTA 000027 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR OES, EAP AND STAS DEPT PASS TO OSTP JASON RAO DEPT PASS TO USAID FOR ANE, EGAT COMMERCE FOR NOAA BANGKOK FOR RDM/A E.O. 12598: N/A TAGS: SENV KGHG EFIS TSPL PREL ID SUBJECT: NOAA Administrator's Indonesia Visit Drives Climate, Science, Ocean Priorities JAKARTA 00000027 001.2 OF 004 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: NOAA Administrator Dr. Jane Lubchenco's first visit to Indonesia advanced Administration priorities on climate change, science and technology, food security, and ocean policy. She emphasized President Obama's commitment to a deeper partnership with Indonesia, and previewed Science Envoy Bruce Alberts' upcoming visit as evidence of this commitment. Dr. Lubchenco received enthusiastic high-level Indonesian support for the planned ocean exploration expedition by the NOAA ship OKEANOS EXPLORER with the Indonesian ship BARUNA JAYA IV. This joint ocean exploration expedition planned for June 2010, she noted, reflects a true partnership of equals and highlights the potential for enhanced bilateral collaboration across the board. GOI interlocutors viewed Dr. Lubchenco's visit as the first in a series of high-level visits that will build toward a POTUS visit in 2010. Media coverage was extensive and positive. End Summary. Background -------------- ¶2. (U) Dr. Lubchenco, Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrator (NOAA) Administrator, paid her first official visit to Indonesia January 3-5. She started with a January 3 site visit - to a tuna monitoring station - and an informal lunch in Bali with Indonesian Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Fadel Muhammad. The lunch dialog highlighted Minister Fadel's interest in a new ocean policy for Indonesia, his commitment to the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) and interest in sustainable fisheries and seafood and aquaculture as integral to food security. This was followed by a series of meetings and events in Jakarta on January 4-5 with senior officials, scientists, students and civil society representatives. Ocean Policy and Ocean Exploration Priorities for Fadel -------------- -------------- ¶3. (U) In their formal meeting, Minister Fadel Muhammad stated his strong support for the U.S.-Indonesia ocean exploration partnership and appreciation for other existing collaborative efforts, including USG support for CTI and ocean/climate observations. He and Dr. Lubchenco committed to deepen the positive relationship between NOAA and the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF). Both were enthusiastic about opportunities for marine scientific collaboration, recognizing its importance for sustainably managing marine resources, ensuring food security, and understanding climate change's effect on the ocean. Dr. Lubchenco highlighted coral reefs, ocean acidification, ocean current circulation and upwelling as "perfect" areas for collaborative research. ¶4. (U) Dr. Lubchenco welcomed the news that the Government of Indonesia (GOI) had cleared the research permit for the OKEANOS EXPLORER's voyage. She and Muhammad recognized the importance of the voyage of NOAA's OKEANOS EXPLORER this June to kick off long-term scientific collaboration in ocean exploration. Dr. Lubchenco stressed that public-private partnerships and education are critical to maximizing mutual benefit from scientific collaboration. Dr. Lubchenco highlighted the upcoming visit to Indonesia by Presidential Science Envoy Dr. Bruce Alberts as an important opportunity to connect U.S. and Indonesian scientific communities. Millennium Ecosystem Assessment could Bolster GOI Climate Change Adaptation Strategy -------------- -------------- ¶5. (U) The Coordinating Ministry for People's Welfare focuses on achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and views its top priorities of climate change, disaster relief and prevention capacity, education and health through the MDG lens. Dr. Lubchenco explained to Dr. Indroyono Soesilo, Secretary to the Minister, the work of the United Nations' Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA),a one-time scientific study addressing how changes in the environment impact human well-being. The MEA complements the IPCC process. Soesilo noted that such a study would help Indonesian leadership make better choices regarding resource mobilization and multi-sector approaches to addressing environmental challenges. He asked for follow-up meetings in the U.S. with NOAA in February, and suggested jointly hosting an MEA seminar in Bali in the future. The concepts JAKARTA 00000027 002.2 OF 004 and scientific information in the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (www.MAweb.org) Dr. Lubchenco described were of keen interest to other ministries as well. Aboard NOAA's Ocean Exploration Partner Vessel -------------- - ¶6. (U) Dr. Lubchenco's tour of the Indonesian research vessel BARUNA JAYA IV successfully built momentum for the June joint voyage. The ship is one of four Agency for Assessment and Application of Technology ocean research vessels. It will accompany and conduct research alongside the OKEANOS EXPLORER during the June ocean exploration expedition. Dr. Lubchenco's visit mirrored an Indonesian visit to the OKEANOS EXPLORER she hosted in the U.S. last July. The ship visit was covered extensively by Indonesian press including an all-news format station (Metro TV) and the largest-circulation daily newspaper (Kompas). "Avoid the Unmanageable and Manage the Unavoidable" -------------- -------------- ¶7. (U) In a scientific and policy lecture and discussion hosted by the Indonesian Association of Oceanologists, Dr. Lubchenco spoke with over 150 students and scientists about climate change and the ocean. She highlighted changes being seen in acidity, temperature, and currents, noting that these changes set the stage for non-linear disruptions to ocean processes, with serious consequences to human well-being. Dr. Lubchenco emphasized that even without climate change impacts, overfishing, habitat destruction, and pollution have severely compromised ocean health. Mitigation should focus on these controllable stressors while adapting to inevitable climate change impacts. The lecture emphasized many proactive steps that can be taken and was well-received by the audience, which included senior GOI officials and the press. At Dinner: "Did the U.S. Do Enough in Copenhagen?" -------------- -------------- ¶8. (SBU) At a dinner hosted in honor of Dr. Lubchenco by Ambassador Hume, leading Indonesian science policymakers and advisors voiced their disappointment over what they considered inadequate U.S. climate change leadership in Copenhagen. Dr. Lubchenco highlighted the many significant efforts in clean energy investment, fuel standards, promotion of clean energy, and legislative initiatives that the Obama Administration achieved during its first 10 months. She stressed that the most accurate way to describe the Copenhagen outcome is that the Accord lays a good foundation for future progress. She noted U.S. leadership behind the scenes was invaluable in managing COP-15's volatile political dynamics in a fashion that was not obvious to many observers. Ambassador Hume added that the view of U.S. "failure" is unjustified, considering that all but four of the many countries with obligations under the Kyoto Protocol have failed to meet Kyoto's binding targets-and without consequences. Ocean Exploration and Dr. Alberts: Symbols for Ministry of Science and Technology -------------- -------------- ¶9. (SBU) Minister Suharna Surapranata stated his appreciation for the ocean exploration partnership and his support for increased S&T cooperation with the United States. He also expressed his hope that cooperation on capacity building and technology transfer could be expanded. Dr. Lubchenco reiterated the U.S. commitment to advancing the scientific partnership, pointing to the joint ocean exploration expedition and Dr. Alberts' upcoming visit. The Indonesians expressed excitement about Dr. Alberts, and indicated they would invite him to speak at both the Indonesian Academy of Sciences and at the Presidential Palace. Surapranata and his staff were optimistic the remaining Ministry of Defense approval for the OKEANOS EXPLORER's voyage would be issued shortly. Vice President Boediono Endorses S&T Partnerships -------------- -------------- ¶10. (SBU) Vice President Boediono was supportive of the OKEANOS EXPLORER visit and the broader ocean exploration partnership. He JAKARTA 00000027 003.2 OF 004 also expressed his interest in meeting Science Envoy Dr. Alberts. Dr. Lubchenco reemphasized President Obama's commitment to partnering with Indonesia in the field of science and technology. In keeping with the spirit of scientific exploration, she noted, all data collected during the expedition would be freely shared. Vice President Boediono agreed that closer science and technology cooperation would benefit both countries. Dr. Lubchenco informed Boediono that Dr. Alberts' focus would be to promote scientific capacity building and scientific partnerships, and advance science education at all levels. She also noted that items that could be advanced ahead of the POTUS visit included the Science and Technology Agreement and a second Tropical Forest Conservation Act. Boediono replied that "we support these and I know the Ambassador is working hard on these with us." "A Healthy Environment Enables a Healthy Economy" -------------- -------------- ¶11. (U) Deputy Chief of Mission Ted Osius hosted a lunch for NGO partners of the Coral Triangle Initiative. Participants also included a private sector corporate social responsibility representative. An active discussion focused on the need for envoys like Dr. Lubchenco to stress to Indonesia leaders that a healthy economy depends on a healthy environment. They also identified potential opportunities for the private sector to promote ocean issues - including ocean exploration - with Indonesian school children and the public. Discussions highlighted the productive partnerships between NGOs, local governments and national government in the Coral Triangle as models for expansion. The importance of science education, local leadership, scientific capacity building and sustained engagement and support were highlighted. Climate Change Adaptation One Tree at a Time -------------- ¶12. (U) The mangrove restoration event at a site on Jakarta's northern shoreline drew extensive media coverage, with Dr. Lubchenco and students up to their elbows and knees in mud, planting almost 1000 seedlings. The event - themed "Indonesia and the U.S: combating climate change one tree at a time" - was organized by a public-private consortium focused on mangrove restoration. Dr. Lubchenco highlighted the importance of local conservation efforts and developing science capacity in the Muslim world. Climate as an Element of "Total Defense" -------------- ¶13. (SBU) Dr. Lubchenco also briefed Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro on the OKEANOS EXPLORER's planned visit. She underscored President Obama's commitment to scientific partnerships based on the principles of equality and mutual benefit. The OKEANOS EXPLORER visit would demonstrate the benefits of United States-Indonesia scientific cooperation, she noted. She explained that the ship's communication technology will be able to send high-definition underwater video in real time from a Remotely Operated Vehicle to shore; connecting the ship and its discoveries live with audiences in Indonesia and around the world. Yusgiantoro agreed the OKEANOS EXPLORER visit would further scientific and technological cooperation, and committed to providing the necessary approvals from the Defense Ministry. He also named a senior Indonesian Navy point of contact for NOAA to facilitate the process. ¶14. (SBU) During the meeting, Dr. Lubchenco praised President Yudhoyono's leadership on climate change and stressed the importance of oceans in understanding and adapting to the phenomenon. From his perspective as the former Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Yusgiantoro noted that President Yudhoyono (SBY) had committed Indonesia to a 26 percent reduction in emissions or a 41 percent reduction with external assistance. SBY, he explained, planned to press other tropical forest countries (the F-11) to make similar commitments. SBY believed that climate change could affect Indonesia's national security and must be addressed as part of "total defense" - with a holistic focus on forests, oceans and people combined. Dr. Lubchenco agreed that climate change was a key national security issue, and underscored the importance of United States-Indonesia cooperation on the matter. JAKARTA 00000027 004.2 OF 004 ¶15. (U) Under Secretary Lubchenco cleared this message. HUME