Special Envoy for Climate Change Todd Stern will lead U.S. participation in the 14^th Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate in Rome, Italy, on April 17, 2012. Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economic Affairs Michael Froman will serve as chair. The meeting will take place at the level of leaders’ representatives.

The Major Economies Forum, launched by President Obama in 2009, facilitates a candid dialogue among 17 developed and developing economies to support progress in meeting the climate change and clean energy challenge globally.

Members of the Major Economies Forum include: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the European Union, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In addition, representatives will attend from Singapore, Qatar, Colombia, and New Zealand.

Mr. Stern will conduct a press briefing via teleconference as the meeting concludes on April 17. Details and call-in numbers will be provided by Monday, April, 16. There will be no press accreditation for the Major Economies Forum and no press filing center. For more information, please contact Wendy Nassmacher at NassmacherWL@state.gov.