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FM AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
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RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 000272 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E-JWIEGERT, OES/PCI LSPERLING, MGERDIN, 
OES/EGC AVOCKERODT, S/SECC RKASTENBERG 
 
E.O. 12958: NA 
TAGS: KSCA SENV PGOV ET KGHG ENRG
 
SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA AND CLIMATE CHANGE, POST AU SUMMIT 
 
ADDIS ABAB 00000272  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
------- 
SUMMARY 
------- 
¶1. (U) The Regional Environment Officer (REO) for eastern Africa 
met with Dessalegne Mesfin, Deputy Director General of the 
Ethiopian Environment Protection Agency on February 9, 2010 to 
discuss climate change decisions taken at the 14th African Union 
(AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.  Mesfin provided a readout 
of Ethiopia Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's report to the Summit 
and gave an update on Ethiopia's latest climate change-related 
activities.  REO took the opportunity to deliver talking points 
on President Barak Obama's fiscal year 2011 budget request to 
Congress on Global Climate Change (GCC). End Summary. 
 
------------------------- 
MELES REPORTS TO AU SUMMIT 
------------------------- 
¶2. (U) The 14th AU Summit took place January 31-February 2 in 
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Given his role of Head of the African 
Delegation in Copenhagen, Ethiopia's Prime Minister Meles Zenawi 
presented a report to the Summit on February 1 regarding the 
Copenhagen Climate Conference. African leaders expressed their 
appreciation to Meles for his outstanding contribution to 
safeguard and maximize the benefits and interests of Africa, 
acknowledging that he had faced tough challenges negotiating 
with many stakeholders. Mesfin confirmed these reports, pointing 
out that unifying an Africa-wide position is a success in 
itself.  Mesfin noted that Meles is both excited and 
enthusiastic to have the opportunity to continue in his role as 
chief climate change negotiator for the African continent. 
 
----------------------------------- 
MELES RE-ELECTED AS CHIEF NEGOTIATOR 
----------------------------------- 
¶3. (U) Mesfin confirmed press reports that Meles was re-elected 
to represent Africa as chief negotiator in the next climate 
change conference in Mexico in 2010 and South Africa in 2012. 
Mesfin informed REO that Dr. Tewolde-Berhan Gebre-egziabheir, 
Director of Ethiopia's Environmental Protection Agency (EEPA), 
will be Meles' focal point within Ethiopia on all climate 
change-related matters.  Dr. Tewolde will lead an interagency 
coordination process that will include Ethiopia's meteorological 
agency and its water, energy, and agriculture ministries, with 
the EPA acting as the head agency.  Mesfin also described an 
environmental council that will serve as an organizational tool 
to ensure coordination on environment and climate change issues. 
According to Mesfin, the membership mechanism will be chaired by 
Meles and will include regional presidents, local environment 
NGOs headed by the Forum for Environment, and private sector 
members.  It will be a forum for discussion and will provide 
guidance, supervision, and call for corrective action.  REO will 
continue to report on this council as it evolves. 
 
------------------------ 
OTHER AU SUMMIT DECISIONS 
------------------------ 
¶4. (U) The Summit also endorsed the Copenhagen Accord, stating 
that each member state should report its consent individually 
for the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). 
During the AU Summit, Meles proposed the establishment of a 
high-level panel to deal with the implementation of the 
Copenhagen climate summit recommendations, where the 
international community pledged to give billions of dollars to 
mitigate the impact of climate change. While holding discussions 
with the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, media reports say 
that Meles explained the panel will help mobilize funds and 
technical support to Africa, which many countries promised to 
 
ADDIS ABAB 00000272  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
extend to Africa to tackle the impact of climate change on the 
continent.  At this point it remains unclear who is envisioned 
to reside on the panel. 
 
----------------------------- 
FY 2011 BUDGET REQUEST ON GCC 
----------------------------- 
¶5. (U) Mesfin appreciated the information regarding President 
Barak Obama's fiscal year 2011 budget request on Global Climate 
Change, saying that he was both inspired and encouraged by the 
data.  REO emphasized that the information reflected the 
President's request to Congress, not the final amount 
appropriated by Congress which is subject to the normal 
congressional approval process.  Mesfin understood, pointing out 
that he greatly respects the U.S.' careful and methodical 
approach to challenges.  He added that while this approach may 
involve front-loaded delays, the implementation phase is often 
fast and effective.  He said he is eager to work with the U.S. 
on climate change issues in Ethiopia and looks forward to more 
information and guidance from the U.S. as our policy unfolds. 
 
--------------------------------- 
ETHIOPIA'S CLIMATE CHANGE STRATEGY 
--------------------------------- 
¶6. (U) Mesfin explained that Ethiopia drafted its Nationally 
Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAS), which is currently 
registered under the Copenhagen Accord. The EPA will host a 
National Consultancy Workshop on March 1-2, 2010, where 
Ethiopia's stakeholders will review a draft Program of 
Adaptation to Climate Change (PACC) for Ethiopia.  Following the 
adoption of the PACC, the EPA will organize a broader 
consultation session that reaches out to donor and other 
stakeholders.  With a finalized NAMAS and PACC that have broad 
buy-in, EPA will then begin exploring implementation strategies 
that can capitalize on emerging climate change financing sources 
and mechanisms. 
 
#YATES 
 
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