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UNCLAS COLOMBO 000005 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/INSB, PLEASE PASS TO H 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS ECON EFIN
SUBJECT: LETTER TO SECRETARY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON FROM MALDIVES 
FOREIGN MINISTER AHMED SHAHEED REGARDING THE COPENHAGEN ACCORD 
 
¶1. (SBU) Post received from the Maldivian MFA a scanned copy of a 
letter from the Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs to Secretary 
Clinton regarding the Copenhagen conference.  The following is the 
text: 
 
BEGIN TEXT OF LETTER 
 
Minister of Foreign Affairs 
Republic of Maldives 
 
30 December 2009 
 
Dear Excellency, 
 
As you are aware the Fifteenth Conference of Parties of the UNFCCC 
fell short of expectations.  As one of the most vulnerable countries 
to climate change, the Maldives, nevertheless, was pleased that the 
Copenhagen Accord was reached, in which we believe lies the basis 
for further work moving towards Bonn and Mexico City next year. 
 
The COP15, as you know, only takes note of the Copenhagen Accord 
leaving the door open for countries to associate themselves with the 
Accord.  I am happy to say the Maldives has already notified the 
UNFCCC Secretariat and the Danish Presidency of our decision to 
associate with the Accord. 
 
One of the primary reasons we are eager to activate the Accord is 
the provisions therein for the fund of thirty billion US Dollars for 
the next three years which we would like to see launched as early as 
next year.  As you would appreciate, funds are no doubt very 
critical for vulnerable countries such as the Maldives to undertake 
urgent adaptation projects and programmes and in reorienting 
ourselves towards a low carbon future. 
 
In this regard, we have urged our G77 and AOSIS colleagues to 
subscribe to the Accord as we believe that an urgent activation of 
funds is critical for vulnerable countries such as the Maldives. 
Likewise, the Maldives hopes that United States of America will also 
contribute to operationalising the Accord as it is imperative to 
sustain the momentum for Mexico City next year. 
 
Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest 
consideration and best wishes for the New Year! 
 
Yours sincerely, 
Ahmed Shaheed 
 
H.E. Mrs. Hillary Rodham Clinton 
Secretary of State 
Washington, D.C. 
United States of America 
 
END TEXT OF LETTER 
 
BUTENIS