VZCZCXRO2169
OO RUEHHM
DE RUEHC #2863/01 2260433
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 101635Z AUG 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUEHHI/AMEMBASSY HANOI IMMEDIATE 9949-9951
INFO RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK IMMEDIATE 2532-2534
RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY PRIORITY 3584-3586
RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA PRIORITY 5304-5306
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 7264-7266
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 STATE 082863 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
C O R R E C T E D  C O P Y (SENSITIVE CAPTION ADDED) 
 
SIPDIS 
UNVIE FOR HOHMAN 
HANOI ALSO FOR IADEMARCO 
BANGKOK FOR ESTH 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AMGT EAID IO PGOV PREL TBIO VM KFLU
SUBJECT: SETTING THE AGENDA FOR THE APRIL 2010 HANOI 
INTER-MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE ON AVIAN AND PANDEMIC 
INFLUENZA (IMCAPI) 
 
STATE 00082863  001.2 OF 003 
 
 
¶1. (SBU) Introduction: The Interagency Coordinating Meeting 
(ICM) on Avian and Pandemic Influenza (API), chaired by 
Special Representative on Avian and Pandemic Influenza, 
Ambassador Robert Loftis, met on July 27 to discuss the 
planned Inter-Ministerial Conference on Avian and Pandemic 
Influenza (IMCAPI) to be held in Hanoi, Vietnam in April 
¶2010. (The ICM consists of representatives from State, USAID, 
HHS, DHS, DOD, and USDA.) ICM members appreciated documents 
provided by Embassy Hanoi and the initiative taken by the 
Embassy Hanoi API team to insure that the U.S. is well 
positioned to help the Government of Vietnam shape the 2010 
conference. IMCAPI can be an effective platform identifying 
best practices and lessons learned in the face of the H5N1 
virus situation and the novel Influenza A (H1N1) pandemic to 
improve human and animal health globally. 
 
¶2. (SBU) This cable summarizes approaches Embassy Hanoi may 
use in discussions with the GVN's IMCAPI organizing 
committee, which we understand will include senior GVN 
officials and representatives from the GVN's Partnership on 
Avian and Human Influenza (PAHI). Unfolding events, both in 
terms of organizing IMCAPI and in the ongoing H1N1 pandemic, 
will impact planning and may necessitate adjustments to and 
refocusing of the conference agenda. We look forward to 
exchanging ideas with the Embassy Hanoi team as we move 
forward. End Introduction and Summary. 
 
¶3. (SBU) The ICM supports the holding of a technical-level 
meeting in advance of IMCAPI to address issues that will 
assist the ministerial meeting in approaching key issues in a 
holistic and mutually reinforcing manner. No decision was 
reached on whether a technical meeting should take place 
immediately prior to IMCAPI or precede the ministerial by 
some period to provide more time to consider technical 
issues. 
On balance, however, the ICM believes it preferable to hold 
the technical review meeting on the eve of the IMCAPI to deal 
with significant and unanticipated changes to the current 
pandemic situation. Moreover, the ICM notes that many of the 
experts who would attend the technical review meeting will 
also be responsible for responding to the Novel H1N1 pandemic. 
 
¶4. (SBU) While the current H1N1 pandemic will be a major 
subject of the IMCAPI, it must not totally eclipse discussion 
of the need for continued vigilance against a more pathogenic 
influenza strain, including H5N1 avian influenza. (UN System 
Influenza Coordinator Dr. David Nabarro also emphasized this 
point in a July 27 telephone conversation with Ambassador 
Loftis, prior to the ICM meeting.) The ministerial portion of 
the conference might, therefore, be shaped around three 
central themes or areas of focus: 1) the status of H5N1 avian 
influenza planning, key ongoing issues, and response efforts; 
2) the impact of, and response to, the novel H1N1, including 
lessons learned regarding the 
successes/failures/modifications and the groundwork laid as a 
result of H5N1 as it has applied to the current pandemic; and 
3) using the lessons from H5N1 and the novel H1N1 to develop 
an integrated approach to dealing with emerging zoonotic 
diseases. 
 
¶5. (SBU) Additional points to be considered in planning an 
agenda 
 
Contributors to previous international meetings on AI/PI 
should be included in IMCAPI planning discussions at an early 
stage. Such key partners include representatives of the 
informal International Partnership on Avian and Pandemic 
Influenza (IPAPI) Core Group countries - 
Australia, Canada, France, Japan, EU & EC Presidency, UK, 
with UNSIC, and major international organizations, including 
(in addition to UNSIC) the WHO, FAO, World Bank, the World 
Organization for Animal Health (OIE), and others. 
 
- Country Operating Plans: The World Bank and UNSIC have 
 
STATE 00082863  002.2 OF 003 
 
SUBJECT: SETTING THE AGENDA FOR THE APRIL 2010 HANOI 
INTER-MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE ON AVIAN AND PANDEMIC 
INFLUENZA (IMCAP 
highlighted repeatedly the need for countries to fully test 
their pandemic influenza country operating plans. However, 
the IMCAPI agenda should avoid being a forum for a long 
series of "status reports" delivered by Ministers. Rather, 
IMCAPI organizers may wish to plan an agenda which highlights 
how generic avian influenza and pandemic influenza (AI/PI) 
planning was useful in responding to the emergence of novel 
H1N1, using a handful of countries as case studies. Countries 
that have been particularly hard hit, such as Argentina, may 
provide lessons learned for other regions. 
 
- Focus on Emergency Continuity Planning and Economic 
Impacts: The Government of Mexico could provide a useful 
presentation on how the H1N1 virus affected their economy and 
how lessons learned can be applied should another infectious 
disease with pandemic potential emerge. Other emergency 
continuity planning efforts in areas such as food security, 
humanitarian support, infrastructure protection, and economic 
stabilization would be beneficial to those 
countries that have not yet fully implemented their country 
operating plans. 
 
- Assessing New Threats and Response/Planning Strategies: 
E/SE Asia's approach to the threat of H1N1 in the region 
where H5N1 remains endemic and the possible merging of the 
two viruses might be subject for a presentation led by 
IMCAPI's GVN host in concert with ASEAN partners. 
 
- Communications: Egypt's aggressive communications effort to 
confront H5N1 in humans which, evidence indicates, has 
reduced the fatality rate dramatically as compared to H5N1 
cases elsewhere. However, these efforts have apparently not 
decreased the overall number of human cases. 
 
- Regional Approaches: Using the North American Plan (NAP) as 
an example of a successful framework for discussion, 
particularly how the NAP facilitated the H1N1 response by the 
North American partners (U.S., Mexico, Canada); 
 
¶6. (SBU) Dealing with the Zoonotic Issue - Potential and 
Reality: The zoonotic issue should receive greater attention 
than in previous AI/PI ministerial meetings. However, care 
must be taken to ensure that the discussion of zoonotics 
remain focused on several key areas, such as 
improved surveillance for emerging zoonotics and improving 
the relationship between those responsible for animal health 
and those responsible for human health. During the zoonotic 
portion of the conference, the broader issue of pandemic 
threats to global food security could be discussed. For 
example, Argentina's experience with the H1N1 virus entering 
swine, a potential vessel for virus mutation, could provide 
useful insight for those countries that rely heavily on the 
pork industry and that are less familiar with the virus' 
implications for the swine population. However, such 
initiatives as the "One World, One Health" concept may carry 
baggage beyond the purview (not to mention time available) of 
IMCAPI. 
 
¶7. (SBU) Global Response - Assistance & Benefits: Although 
recent AI/PI ministerial meetings have not formally been held 
"pledging" sessions, donors (national governments and 
international organizations) have generally announced pledges 
in the context of the ministerial meeting. IMCAPI Vietnam may 
have an even greater focus on the issue of resource 
availability to recipient countries than in the past because 
of the H1N1 pandemic. 
 
¶8. (SBU) The USG would support a technical discussion of the 
scientific basis and the rationale for vaccination priorities 
of at risk groups in a variety of countries and settings. It 
is also important to discuss opportunities for increasing 
influenza manufacturing capacity including through increasing 
demand for seasonal vaccinations and technology transfers. 
Embassy Hanoi should deflect attempts to include &equitable 
access to vaccines8 or similar formulations as part of the 
agenda. The World Health Assembly has charged the WHO 
Director General with resolving the remaining issues on the 
pandemic influenza preparedness framework for the sharing of 
influenza viruses and access to vaccines and other benefits, 
with a report due to the Executive Board in January 2010. 
 
¶9. (SBU) USG Point of Contact in Washington for the IMCAPI 
will be Special Representative Loftis and the Office of 
International Health and Biodefense (OES/IHB). Embassy Hanoi 
will be the main point of contact with the GVN. We would 
appreciate Embassy's response to issues discussed in this 
 
STATE 00082863  003.2 OF 003 
 
SUBJECT: SETTING THE AGENDA FOR THE APRIL 2010 HANOI 
INTER-MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE ON AVIAN AND PANDEMIC 
INFLUENZA (IMCAP 
cable. In addition, we would appreciate updates as they 
become available regarding formation of the GVN organizing 
committee. Lastly, we would appreciate information regarding 
any multinational meetings the GVN may wish to convene on 
IMCAPI organization and support. 
CLINTON