VZCZCXYZ0001
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHAH #0195/01 0371336
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 061336Z FEB 09
FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2281
INFO RHMFIUU/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 3316
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC

UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000195 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR SCA/CEN; EEB 
PLEASE PASS TO USTDA DAN STEIN 
COMMERCE FOR HUEPER 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV EPET TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: INVITATION TO SECRETARY OF ENERGY TO 
PARTICIPATE IN ENERGY TRANSIT CONFERENCE 
 
¶1. (U) On February 4, post received the following invitation for the 
Secretary of Energy to attend a ministerial-level, Government of 
Turkmenistan-sponsored international energy transit conference in 
Ashgabat, April 23-24.  The following is the text of the invitation, 
followed by information about the conference itself.  The original 
invitation and attachment were sent via diplomatic pouch to SCA/CEN 
for forwarding to the Department of Energy. 
 
¶2. (U) BEGIN INVITATION TEXT: 
 
Dear Mr. Minister, 
 
Let me to inform you, that the Government of Turkmenistan in 
cooperation with the United Nations Organization will organize on 
23-24 April, 2009 in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan the high-level 
international conference "Reliable and stable transit of energy and 
its role in ensuring sustainable development and international 
cooperation". 
 
The above-mentioned conference is conducted in accordance with the 
Resolution "Reliable and stable transit of energy and its role in 
ensuring sustainable development and international cooperation", 
initiated by Turkmenistan and adopted by the United Nations General 
Assembly on December 19th, 2008. 
 
The purpose of the mentioned conference is to review the problems 
related to reliable and stable transportation of energy to the 
international markets, including issues of trade, investments and 
management. 
 
One of the important items in agenda of the conference would be the 
discussion of conceptual approaches and elaboration of practical 
recommendations on drafting the international legal document of the 
United Nations aimed at development of mechanisms and guarantees to 
provide security for energy carriers system functioning. 
 
Turkmenistan highly appreciates your country's co-sponsorship of the 
above-mentioned resolution. 
 
In this connection, I would like to invite you to attend the 
above-mentioned international conference. 
 
I believe that your participation in its work will bring 
contribution to the development of international cooperation. 
 
The expenses related to your participation in the conference, 
including round trip transport expenses to Ashgabat, accommodation 
and meals while staying in Turkmenistan will be covered by Turkmen 
side. 
 
Please accept, Mr. Minister, the assurances of my highest 
consideration. 
Yours sincerely, 
Tachberdi TAGIYEV 
 
His Excellency 
Mr. Steven CHU 
Minister of Energy of the USA 
Washington 
 
END INVITATION TEXT 
 
¶3. (U) BEGIN TEXT OF CONFERENCE INFORMATION: 
 
High-level international conference "Reliable and stable transit of 
energy and its role in ensuring sustainable development and 
international cooperation" (23-24 April 2009, Ashgabat, 
Turkmenistan) 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
The energy resources are one of the most important components of 
world economy development.  Production, transportation and 
realization of energy resources are constantly increasing, thus no 
doubt demonstrating a positive aspect since it stimulates 
social-economic development. All energy producers expect the 
stability in demand, while energy consumers require guaranteed and 
 
 
 
stable supplies. 
 
The increased demand for energy in the world has brought new 
opportunities for countries-producers of energy resources to 
increase production of oil and gas for replenishment of new 
markets. 
 
The successful implementation of energy production and 
transportation projects requires the most advanced technologies and 
governance approaches to avoid environmental consequences to achieve 
sustainable development.  Management.  The elaboration of common and 
transparent rules in the operation of energy markets and countries' 
commitment to observe them in practice would create a climate 
necessary for energy security and further promote the achievement of 
goals of every country's sustainable economic development. 
 
During its 63rd session, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution 
"Reliable and stable transit of energy and its role in ensuring 
sustainable development and international cooperation".  This 
resolution was initiated by the Government of Turkmenistan, 
co-sponsored by 57 UN member-states and supported by 192 countries. 
 
This conference is to provide a forum for information and experience 
exchange on the issue within the bounds of the Resolution. The 
conference is expected to adopt a Declaration summarizing the 
outcome of the meeting and providing directions for future 
activities. 
 
PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES OF THE CONFERENCE: 
 
The main objective of the conference is to enhance the dialogue on 
the issues of secure transportation of energy resources.  This 
dialogue will be based on the diversity of views expressed at the 
conference to provide objective information to the governments, 
companies and investors. 
 
The conference is intended to become and international forum for 
energy supply producers, transporters and consumers with the aim 
to: 
 
--to assess recent trends, technology developments and policy 
perspectives pertaining to international cooperation in developing 
energy transportation systems including pipelines; 
 
--to exchange views among leaders and energy policy makers of the 
countries on the maters of both national and regional policies and 
measures to improve reliability in energy transportation systems; 
 
--for capacity building and experience exchange among interested 
parties; 
 
--to identify gaps and barriers to the development and 
implementation of reciprocal common energy cooperation policy; 
 
--to identify new project ideas, potential new partners and ways of 
cooperation. 
 
MAIN CONFERENCE TOPICS 
 
In order to promote international cooperation in developing energy 
recourses transportation systems the Government of Turkmenistan in 
collaboration with the United Nations is organizing the 
International Conference "Reliable and stable transit of energy and 
its role in ensuring sustainable development and international 
cooperation" to be held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, on 23-24 April 
¶2009. 
 
The conference will focus on the following main areas: 
 
--International energy cooperation: challenges and potentials. 
 
--Strengthening security of energy supply. 
 
--Promoting trade, investment and assisting the advanced methods of 
governance. 
 
ORGANIZATIONAL ISSUES 
 
 
The conference will be conducted by the Government of Turkmenistan 
in collaboration with the United Nations.  The Government of 
Turkmenistan invites representatives of Governments, international 
organizations, companies, financial institutions to participate at 
the conference. 
 
END TEXT OF CONFERENCE INFORMATION. 
 
MILES