Cablegate: North Sulawesi: World Ocean Conference May 11-15, 2009

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DE RUEHJS #0047 2780757
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 050757Z OCT 07
FM AMCONSUL SURABAYA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0067
INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 0003
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 0001
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 0012
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UNCLAS SURABAYA 000047

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DEPT FOR IO, OES/ECG, OES/IET, AND EAP/MTS
DEPT ALSO PASS TO DEPT OF COMMERCE/NOAA/RSPINRAD/REPPI

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EAID TPHY PREL ID
SUBJECT: NORTH SULAWESI: WORLD OCEAN CONFERENCE MAY 11-15, 2009

REF: JAKARTA 02712 (NOAA ASST ADMINISTRATOR SPINRAD'S VISIT TO INDONESIA

1. During his September 25 meeting with Surabaya Principal
Officer, North Sulawesi Governor S. H. Sarundajang requested
support for Manado's efforts to host a World Ocean Conference
May 11-15, 2009. Governor Sarundajang explained that by hosting
the World Ocean Conference, North Sulawesi will call attention
to the impact of global climate change on the oceans, noting
that 26 Indonesian islands have disappeared as a result of
rising seas levels. The Governor added that he took advantage
of participation in international conferences on environmental
issues to raise concerns about the impact on ocean ecosystems,
but too often these events focused only on the impact of climate
change on forests and land ecosystems.

2. The glossy color brochure describes a "high-level conference
of heads of the states that have coastal and marine territories;
eminent people; scientists; NGOs, journalists; private sector
and stakeholders discussing global ocean issues." The brochure
adds that the 2009 World Ocean Conference will "provide a
platform where world leaders and decision makers will come
together to make commitment for sustainable development of
marine resources." In support of his plans, Governor
Sarundajang has established a World Ocean Conference 2009
Secretariat (www.woc2009-manado.net) and has begun soliciting

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international support. The Governor told PO that President
Yudhoyono, UNEP, UN Habitat, UNESCO, Global Forum on Oceans,
Coasts and Islands, the governments of the U.S., France,
Australia, and Germany, NOAA, NSF, and other international
organizations had already offered their support for North
Sulawesi's plans to host the World Ocean Conference in 2009.

3. The Governor hopes to leverage Manado's role as host of the
2009 World Ocean Conference into international publicity for
North Sulawesi. The Governor noted that North Sulawesi's
primary economic potential comes for tourism, agriculture,
fisheries, and marine industries, however the world is not yet
aware of North Sulawesi's potential. The conference, he said,
would be "a stepping stone for North Sulawesi to be known to the
world." Organizers expect approximately 4,000 people would
attend the conference. The brochure adds that one of the
conference's expected outcomes would be the establishment of a
"center of international marine research and development in
Indonesia."

4. The Governor said he expected Manado's role as the host of
the 2009 World Ocean Conference would be finalized during the
December UN Climate Change Conference (COP-13) in Bali. He
urged that the USG formally reiterate its support for the
conference during the meetings in Bali. As reported reftel, the
Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DKP) Numberi told
visiting NOAA Assistant Administrator Dr. Spinrad September 18
that there would be a side event at COP-13 on the World Ocean
Conference.

MCCLELLAND

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