VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHAD #1166 3511250
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 171249Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI
TO RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0041
INFO GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 0001
RUEHC/USAID WASHDC 0002

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 001166 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP, OES/STC (LAWRENCE) 
STATE FOR USAID/EGAT (DA SILVA) 
WHITE HOUSE FOR OSTP - RAO 
AMMAN FOR ESTH HUB OFFICER 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ENRG SENV ECON KISL KSCA KPAO AE
SUBJECT: UAE SUPPORT - AND SUGGESTIONS - FOR CAIRO INITIATIVE, 
SCIENCE ENVOYS 
 
REF: STATE 126780; ABU DHABI 745 
 
¶1. (SBU) Mission UAE looks forward to supporting the proposed visit 
of Science Envoy in first quarter of 2010. As first reported in Ref 
B, the opportunities for science and technology (S&T) cooperation 
with the UAE are enormous.  UAE entities often enjoy strong 
financial resources and motivation, but seek to harness USG 
specialized knowledge to maximize domestic capacity and share 
success stories and expertise with other Muslim and developing 
countries.  Contacts have been very supportive of the S&T elements 
of President Obama's Cairo speech and the Secretary's Marrakesh 
speech in November.  Organizations responsible for health, 
renewable energy, and water issues have specifically approached 
EmbOffs to convey their strong interest in pursuing greater 
cooperation with the USG.  Several entities have even suggested 
their organization serve as a regional center of excellence. 
 
 
 
¶2. (SBU) Yet contacts are increasingly frustrated with the lack of 
tangible implementation of the Cairo principles over the past six 
months.  While a science envoy visit in 2010 will be well-received, 
the visit would be more productive if it is accompanied by specific 
proposals for direct USG engagement on the particular areas of 
interest already identified.  For example, we would hope the envoy 
would be accompanied by USG health officials who could discuss 
specific health research and cooperation opportunities with the 
UAE.  On the positive side, USAID is beginning to engage UAE water 
contacts, and the December visit of DOE Deputy Secretary Poneman is 
facilitating direct cooperation on renewable energy (septels). 
However, these efforts do not appear to be part of a broader 
strategy to ensure posts have ability to link interested S&T 
entities with appropriate USG partners. 
 
 
 
¶3. (SBU) Mission UAE appreciates the efforts of OES and OSTP to 
implement the President's Cairo vision.  To support these efforts, 
we would suggest specific POCS for particular areas of S&T 
engagement (or even geographic regions) be identified so posts 
could directly highlight engagement opportunities and discuss 
potential cooperation.  Finally, post would like to voice its 
support for the Year of Arab American Science Partnership (AASP) 
proposed by NEA's Regional ESTH Hub.  The specific areas of 
engagement identified in the AASP would be well-received by UAE 
contacts and a tangible application of the Cairo vision. 
OLSON