VZCZCXRO5884
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDBU RUEHGI RUEHPA RUEHPOD
DE RUEHC #9969/01 1620219
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 102251Z JUN 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUEHAB/AMEMBASSY ABIDJAN 2346
RUEHAD/AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI 4289
RUEHAR/AMEMBASSY ACCRA 4148
RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 7658
RUEHAS/AMEMBASSY ALGIERS 3125
RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 2049
RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 8791
RUEHAN/AMEMBASSY ANTANANARIVO 9160
RUEHAE/AMEMBASSY ASMARA 5591
RUEHTH/AMEMBASSY ATHENS 0528
RUEHKB/AMEMBASSY BAKU 8647
RUEHGI/AMEMBASSY BANGUI 1362
RUEHJL/AMEMBASSY BANJUL 5379
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 8558
RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 0748
RUEHBW/AMEMBASSY BELGRADE 2385
RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 1719
RUEHSW/AMEMBASSY BERN 5978
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 3148
RUEHBZ/AMEMBASSY BRAZZAVILLE 1424
RUEHBM/AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST 1627
RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES 6827
RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 1787
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 4468
RUEHCH/AMEMBASSY CHISINAU 0479
RUEHRY/AMEMBASSY CONAKRY 1417
RUEHCP/AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN 0440
RUEHCO/AMEMBASSY COTONOU 6421
RUEHDK/AMEMBASSY DAKAR 2861
RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS 7244
RUEHDJ/AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI 0546
RUEHDL/AMEMBASSY DUBLIN 0634
RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE 0737
RUEHFN/AMEMBASSY FREETOWN 9154
RUEHGT/AMEMBASSY GUATEMALA 3086
RUEHHE/AMEMBASSY HELSINKI 1919
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 1246
RUEHJA/AMEMBASSY JAKARTA 4052
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 1099
RUEHKM/AMEMBASSY KAMPALA 5881
RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 2980
RUEHLGB/AMEMBASSY KIGALI 7261
RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA 5043
RUEHLI/AMEMBASSY LISBON 7473
RUEHLJ/AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA 6432
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 4747
RUEHLS/AMEMBASSY LUSAKA 7869
RUEHLE/AMEMBASSY LUXEMBOURG 5716
RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID 1829
RUEHMK/AMEMBASSY MANAMA 6301
RUEHML/AMEMBASSY MANILA 1264
RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO 1882
RUEHMV/AMEMBASSY MONROVIA 4322
RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO 2716
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 1011
RUEHMS/AMEMBASSY MUSCAT 0718
RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 1930
RUEHNJ/AMEMBASSY NDJAMENA 4617
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 5117
RUEHNC/AMEMBASSY NICOSIA 5235
RUEHNY/AMEMBASSY OSLO 8079
RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA 5381
RUEHOU/AMEMBASSY OUAGADOUGOU 8571
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 4872
RUEHPOD/AMEMBASSY PODGORICA 2038
RUEHPL/AMEMBASSY PORT LOUIS 2824
RUEHPA/AMEMBASSY PRAIA 4327
RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 4755
RUEHRB/AMEMBASSY RABAT 7230
RUEHRK/AMEMBASSY REYKJAVIK 9473
RUEHRA/AMEMBASSY RIGA 1442
RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME 1078

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 17 STATE 059969 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
PORT LOUIS FOR SEYCHELLES 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ENRG KGHG SENV
SUBJECT: U.S. MOVING TO JOIN THE INTERNATIONAL RENEWABLE 
ENERGY AGENCY 
 
REF: 2008 STATE 134385 
 
Due to the large number of addressees, this cable is being 
transmitted twice.  Please review both cables for complete 
list of action and info addressees. 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary:  This is an action request.  In a change to 
our prior position, the USG is carefully considering joining 
the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in time for 
the June 28-30 IRENA preparatory meeting in Egypt. 
Membership in IRENA could advance the Administration,s 
objectives with respect to clean energy and climate change. 
The USG feels that IRENA can be most effective in advancing 
U.S. foreign policy objectives if a) the organization,s 
mission is shaped carefully to add value and avoid overlap 
 
STATE 00059969  002 OF 017 
 
 
with other initiatives, and b) the organization,s 
headquarters are located in the UAE, which has submitted an 
impressive bid.  To prepare for the Egypt meeting, during 
which the headquarters (HQ) and Director-General (DG) will be 
voted upon, the Department requests that posts approach 
appropriate host government officials responsible for IRENA 
(likely some combination of MFA, energy, environment or 
technology ministries) at the highest appropriate level to 
explain U.S. views on IRENA, seek support for UAE as HQ, and 
request host country,s position on the location for the HQ, 
selection of the DG, and the mission of IRENA.  Posts may 
draw on the background in paras 8-15 below and the main 
points in para 16 below.  The Department requests responses 
by Tuesday, June 16. End Summary. 
 
---------------------------------------- 
OBJECTIVES FOR ALL POSTS 
---------------------------------------- 
 
¶2. (SBU) All posts should pursue the following objectives 
 
STATE 00059969  003 OF 017 
 
 
when delivering this demarche: 
 
-- First, note that after an internal policy review the U.S. 
is giving serious consideration to signing the IRENA Statute 
during the June 28-30 IRENA meeting, pending ongoing 
consultations with Congress. Reinforce that Congressional 
support is not a given.  Congress will review carefully 
IRENA,s mission, cost, and where it will be based. 
 
-- Second, highlight that, as potential members of IRENA with 
responsibility for a large percentage of its budget, we would 
want to ensure that: a) its mission and action plan identify 
and fill existing gaps and deficiencies in global activities, 
rather than duplicate existing programs and b) its operations 
are aligned with our vision of renewable energy promotion and 
technology diffusion, consistent with other national, 
regional and global programs.  We also have some technical 
legal issues with the statute that we will seek to resolve by 
the Egypt meeting. 
 
 
STATE 00059969  004 OF 017 
 
 
-- Third, underscore that the U.S. government believes the 
UAE,s bid to host IRENA headquarters is impressive and 
compelling, and is a factor in the USG,s interest in joining 
IRENA.  Urge support for UAE,s headquarters bid at the June 
28-30 meeting in Egypt. 
 
-- Fourth, seek information from host governments on their 
IRENA position; specifically: a) if they haven,t signed the 
IRENA Statute, do they plan to? if so, when?  b) if they have 
signed the Statute, when are they likely to ratify? c) if 
they are participating in the Egypt meeting, what are their 
views on the location for the HQ and IRENA DG position? d) 
what are their views on the mission, purpose, and focus IRENA 
should take? (Note: See Background section for list of 
countries that have joined or are moving toward doing so.) 
 
-------------------------------------- 
POST-SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES 
-------------------------------------- 
 
 
STATE 00059969  005 OF 017 
 
 
¶3. (U) EMBASSY BERLIN:  Congratulate Germany on its success 
in launching IRENA.  Note that the U.S. hopes to be able to 
join IRENA and cooperate with Germany, as well as other 
members, to develop an effective, useful organization.  Note 
that the U.S. is actively consulting with Congress and other 
countries.  Note that ongoing Congressional and 
Administration support will also be contingent on our 
collective ability to define IRENA,s mission in a manner 
that adds value to international efforts to promote renewable 
energy and does not duplicate other organizations and 
initiatives.   Note U.S. appreciation for Germany,s bid to 
host IRENA. Their desire to host IRENA demonstrates a strong 
commitment to diffusion of renewable energy and addressing 
barriers to broad deployment.  Underscore U.S. desire to 
continue close cooperation on clean energy technologies, both 
within IRENA and other bilateral and multilateral fora. 
Emphasize, however, that UAE,s bid to host the IRENA 
headquarters is an important factor in our support for IRENA. 
 The UAE,s bid is impressive and compelling, and a UAE 
headquarters will yield important climate change, energy 
 
STATE 00059969  006 OF 017 
 
 
security, and broader geopolitical benefits. 
 
¶4. (U) EMBASSIES COPENHAGEN, VIENNA:   Note U.S. appreciation 
for host country,s bid to host IRENA. Their desire to host 
IRENA demonstrates a strong commitment to diffusion of 
renewable energy and addressing barriers to broad deployment. 
 Underscore U.S. desire to continue close cooperation on 
clean energy technologies, both within IRENA and other 
bilateral and multilateral fora.  Emphasize, however, that 
UAE,s bid to host the IRENA headquarters is an important 
factor in our support for IRENA.  The UAE,s bid is 
impressive and compelling, and a UAE headquarters will yield 
important climate change, energy security, and broader 
geopolitical benefits. 
 
¶5. (SBU) EMBASSIES CANBERRA, LONDON, OTTAWA, TOYKO, ABU 
DHABI: Note U.S. interest in possible opportunities to 
coordinate on shared goals in the limited time remaining 
before the meeting in Egypt as well as at the meeting itself 
(should we sign the IRENA statute). 
 
STATE 00059969  007 OF 017 
 
 
 
¶6. (SBU) EMBASSY ABU DHABI:  Ask the UAE for its expected 
tally of votes for the HQ competition and to identify key 
target countries.  Seek assurances that the UAE will support 
an Israeli IRENA office in the UAE.  Seek assurances that the 
UAE will support the U.S. vision for IRENA.  Confirm the 
UAE,s pledged voluntary contributions to IRENA.  Inform the 
UAE that the U.S. expects the UAE to ratify the IRENA 
Statute, regardless of the outcome of the HQ competition. 
 
----------------------------------- 
REPORTING DEADLINE 
----------------------------------- 
 
¶7.  (U) The Department requests responses by Tuesday, June 
¶16.  Please slug responses for EEB/ESC Danielle Monosson, 
OES/EGC Griff Thompson and IO/EDA Rebecca Webber. 
 
-------------------------------------- 
BACKGROUND 
 
STATE 00059969  008 OF 017 
 
 
-------------------------------------- 
 
¶8. (U) German-sponsored IRENA launched in January 2009 and 
currently has 93 signatory countries. Membership in IRENA 
requires a two step process.  First, a country signs the 
IRENA Statute, and second, the signatory country obtains 
domestic ratification of the Statute.  The ratification 
process varies by country.  The IRENA Statute enters into 
force once 25 countries deposit their instruments of 
ratification. 
 
¶9. (U) The US attended the Founding Conference in January 
(six days after President Obama,s inauguration) as an 
observer, but did not have an official Administration 
position.  Following the Founding Conference, the first 
Preparatory Commission assembled.  The Preparatory Commission 
consists of IRENA,s Signatory States and acts as the interim 
body during the founding period.  The Commission discussed 
the next steps for IRENA and established a Committee for the 
selection of the Interim Director-General, chaired by 
 
STATE 00059969  009 OF 017 
 
 
Lithuania, and a Committee for the selection of the interim 
headquarters, chaired by the Republic of Korea. An 
Administrative Committee was formed as well, chaired by 
Germany.  The second session of the Preparatory Commission 
will be hosted by Egypt, June 28-30, 2009, at which time the 
selection of both the interim HQ and DG will be made.  The US 
will attend the Egypt meeting, as an IRENA Statute signatory, 
if the USG decides to join IRENA.  Austria, Denmark, Germany, 
and the UAE have formally requested to host IRENA, and we 
support the UAE,s candidacy.  There are five candidates for 
the DG position, from Denmark, France, Greece, Spain, and 
Nigeria; the USG does not have a position on the DG at this 
time. 
 
¶10. (SBU) Countries that the Department understands will be 
signing the IRENA Statute prior to the Egypt meeting include 
Australia, the United Kingdom and possibly Japan and Canada. 
In addition, we are interested to know the views of Brazil, 
China, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, and South Africa on joining 
IRENA and its mission, HQ and DG. 
 
STATE 00059969  010 OF 017 
 
 
 
¶11. (SBU) Following several weeks of interagency 
deliberation, the U.S. is moving towards joining IRENA and is 
taking the necessary internal steps to be able to sign the 
IRENA Statute, if certain internal concerns can be resolved 
(outlined in paras 12-13 below), particularly consultations 
with Congress as Congressional approval is needed for U.S. 
membership and funding. 
 
¶12. (SBU) If the USG determines that there is sufficient 
Congressional support and that other concerns are resolved, 
we intend to sign the IRENA Statute at the late June IRENA 
meeting and then ratify at a future date.  Diplomatic 
outreach to convey U.S. preferences for the mission and HQ of 
IRENA is critical to influencing decisions at the Egypt IRENA 
meeting.  Post reporting will inform Washington,s decision 
process.  A formal, final decision on joining IRENA will be 
reached through the Circular 175 process as early as next 
week.  The Department will transmit a subsequent cable to 
update posts. 
 
STATE 00059969  011 OF 017 
 
 
 
¶13. (SBU) As the USG considers joining IRENA, Washington 
would encourage IRENA members to support the UAE as the HQ of 
IRENA.  The USG would also urge that IRENA focus on capacity 
building in developing countries, especially through 
technical cooperation, rather than engage in building or 
helping finance renewable energy projects. 
 
¶14. Signatory countries as of June 10, 2009 are listed below. 
 The Department understands that none of these countries has 
yet ratified the Statute. 
 
-- AF: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Central African 
Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo (Republic of), Cte d,Ivoire, 
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, 
Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, 
Liberia, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, 
Republic of Guinea, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, 
Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Uganda, Zambia 
 
 
STATE 00059969  012 OF 017 
 
 
-- EAP: Mongolia, Nepal, Philippines, Republic of Korea 
 
-- EUR: Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, 
Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, 
Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, 
Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic 
of Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, 
Switzerland, Turkey, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 
 
-- NEA: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Jordan, 
Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, 
Yemen 
 
-- SCA:  Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Tajikistan 
 
-- WHA: Argentina, Chile, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, 
Honduras, Nicaragua, Peru, Uruguay 
 
 
¶15. (U) Please see reftel for additional background on IRENA 
 
STATE 00059969  013 OF 017 
 
 
and the evolution of the U.S. position. 
 
-------------------------------------- 
SUGGESTED TALKING POINTS 
-------------------------------------- 
 
¶16. (U) Suggested TALKING POINTS FOR POSTS IN THE SIGNATORY 
COUNTRIES (excluding Iran) and Australia, Canada, China, 
Brazil, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, the UK 
 
--  (U) The U.S. is moving towards joining IRENA and is 
taking the necessary internal steps to be able to sign the 
IRENA Statute, if certain concerns can be resolved. 
 
Why Does the U.S. Want to Join IRENA? 
     The U.S. strongly supports renewable energy, both 
domestically and internationally, and those multilateral 
institutions promoting its deployment. 
     IRENA offers the potential - if focused appropriately - 
to substantially scale up global use of renewable energy 
 
STATE 00059969  014 OF 017 
 
 
through capacity building and networking that do not 
currently exist in any other multilateral forum on energy. 
     IRENA can help improve public policy makers, 
understanding of renewable energy policy requirements and 
best practices for technology diffusion.  Renewable energy 
technologies address the multiple domestic and international 
objectives of energy security, climate change mitigation, 
economic growth and job creation, and cleaner air quality. 
 
U.S. Vision of IRENA Mission 
     As a member of IRENA, we would want to ensure that: 
o     its mission and  action plan identify and fill existing 
gaps and deficiencies in global activities, rather than 
duplicate existing programs 
o     its operations are aligned with our vision of renewable 
energy promotion and technology diffusion, and consistent 
with  other national, regional and global programs. 
     IRENA,s primary function should be capacity building 
and technical assistance work with developing countries, at 
both the national and sub-national levels, through the 
 
STATE 00059969  015 OF 017 
 
 
exchange of best practices and a menu of policy options. 
 
Why Support the UAE as IRENA Headquarters? 
     The UAE has submitted a strong bid for hosting IRENA, 
including a promise of significant funding. 
     UAE,s long-term commitment to transform its energy 
sector from one reliant on oil and gas to one that thrives on 
renewable and alternative energies and energy efficient 
technology should be supported. 
     The UAE,s location facilitates the coordination of 
global efforts to counter climate change.  IRENA would be the 
first Middle-East headquartered permanent international 
organization with a focus on clean energy technology. 
     The selection of an OPEC country to host IRENA would 
send an important positive message about the global 
transition to a low-carbon economy. 
     The bulk of global energy demand growth is expected to 
come from Asia and the Middle East, making a UAE headquarters 
a practical choice. 
     (For Embassies Berlin, London, Paris, Oslo, Tel Aviv) 
 
STATE 00059969  016 OF 017 
 
 
Given Israel,s commitment to join, a UAE-based IRENA could 
provide a vehicle for Arab-Israeli interaction. It could also 
provide a means for Israel to open an office in the UAE; a 
significant step in the Middle East. 
 
If Asked, Challenges to U.S. Joining 
     The USG needs support of the U.S. Congress ) both 
approval to join and allocation of funding for IRENA.  We 
cannot join IRENA without Congressional support. 
Consultations with the Congress, to gauge level of support, 
are ongoing. (Note:  There is no existing funding to support 
U.S. membership in IRENA.  The U.S. would be required to 
contribute 22% of the budget, after the USG ratifies. 
IRENA,s annual budget is $17 million in FY10, growing to at 
least $48 million over time. End note.) 
     The USG supports an IRENA whose primary function is 
capacity building and technical assistance work with 
developing countries, at both the national and sub-national 
levels, through the exchange of best practices and a menu of 
policy options.  The USG is concerned that IRENA could 
 
STATE 00059969  017 OF 017 
 
 
duplicate work in several other multilateral organizations. 
 
END SUGGESTED TALKING POINTS 
 
------------------------------ 
POINT OF CONTACT 
------------------------------ 
 
¶17. (U) Please contact EEB/ESC Danielle Monosson, OES/EGC 
Griff Thompson, and IO/EDA Rebecca Webber with questions or 
for additional information.  The Department appreciates 
posts, efforts. 
CLINTON