GABON: PLEASED WITH PROGRESS ON CLIMATE CHANGE,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LIBREVILLE 000045 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR A/C FOR LISA KORTE E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/02/2020 TAGS: EAID SENV PGOV KSCA PREL UNEP GB SUBJECT: GABON: PLEASED WITH PROGRESS ON CLIMATE CHANGE, WILL ASSOCIATE WITH COPENHAGEN ACCORD Classified By: CDA Kathleen FitzGibbon for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY. Gabon was one of the 28 countries that participated in the intensive negotiating sessions at the U.N. Conference on Climate Change and will associate with the Copenhagen Accord. Lee White, the Director of Gabon's National Parks and President Ali Bongo Ondimba's special advisor on climate change, said that the Gabonese do not see Copenhagen Accord as a failure, but instead characterized the Copenhagen summit as a "step forward." The Gabonese Government, which participated in the drafting of the accord, believes Gabon can play a constructive role in continuing climate change discussions, striking a balance between other African states and the developed world. END SUMMARY. -------------- COP 15 -------------- ¶2. (C) Lee White, the Director of Gabon's National Parks and Special Advisor on Climate Change to President Ali Bongo Ondimba, provided a read-out of Gabon's views on the Copenhagen summit on January 29. White stated that Gabon refused to take a negative view of Copenhagen. President Bongo Ondimba, who was directly involved in the negotiations, viewed the summit as a necessary step towards a workable and comprehensive climate change agreement. ¶3. (C) The Gabonese also view the summit as a diplomatic success in terms of raising Gabon's profile on climate change issues. President Bongo Ondimba and other Central African heads of State met with French President Nicolas Sarkozy on December 16 prior to the summit. At Copenhagen, Bongo Ondimba worked with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and "the Norwegians." Rudd helped get Gabon into the final negotiating session despite not being listed as one of the 25 participants. White said that this gave Gabon the opportunity to demonstrate that it is a willing and intelligent partner on climate change discussions. ¶4. (C) White said that the Gabonese focused their efforts on the G-77 discussions. He described Denmark, Saudi Arabia, China, and India as playing obstructionist roles in the talks. The Chinese, according to White, went so far as leave the G-77 discussions and instructing "a mid-level functionary to simply say no to everything." President Bongo Ondimba became so frustrated with the Chinese role that he stood up and "called the Chinese out." White said that the Danish had managed the event "very poorly," and appeared uninterested in facilitating an agreement. ¶5. (U) White pointed out that Gabon is leading Africa in initiating efforts to combat climate change. The government has obligated 10 million euros in debt relief received from France to combat climate change, beginning with carbon mapping. Gabon, with France and Brazil as partners, is establishing a new, regional Center of Excellence on climate issues. France is also providing 5 million euros and spot satellite imagery to begin terrain and climate mapping. Brazil is providing $1 million in equipment and software as well as free access to imagery. Japan has joined the effort with at $12 million contribution. The establishment of a satellite station in Gabon to monitor climate change remains a key objective. -------------- National Parks -------------- ¶6. (C) On the national level, White is also charged with improving status of the extensive national park system in Gabon. While neglected over the years, White said that efforts to reform the bureaucracy supporting the parks began in earnest in mid-January. Training for mid-level managers is his current priority. The legal framework to protect the parks is in place, but the dedicated personnel needed to enforce those laws are sorely needed. He noted that he only has one conservationist per park to cover an area that is 40 percent of Gabon's total area. He said that he just finished investigating an oil well that was illegally drilled in a national park without permission. He anticipates using much of the 2010 budget to hire dedicated personnel to provide environmental protection, eco-tourism assistance, and surveillance of the parks resources. White and the technical director for the parks, Michael Fay, hosted U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Forestry officials in mid-January. The visiting U.S. team agreed with White and Fay that assistance efforts need to be geared toward helping the national parks function on a daily basis, including monitoring capability, in order to reach ultimate LIBREVILLE 00000045 002 OF 002 environmental protection goals. Currently, USAID is providing $3.3 million through its Central African Regional Environmental program to help stop the degradation of Gabon's vast forests. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶7. (C) Gabon views itself as an important player on climate change and environmental issues. President Bongo Ondimba is on the record saying that he wants to play a constructive leadership role, including with other African countries. Gabon has had an increasingly tense relationship with China, whose companies continue to exploit Gabonese forest, marine, and animal resources, much of it illegally or through deals with previous administration officials. President Bongo Ondimba's commitment to rescue Gabon's national parks is strong and we can expect his continued engagement on environmental issues at home and internationally. END COMMENT. REDDICK