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SECOND AD HOC OPEN-ENDED INTERGOVERNMENTAL GROUP OF EXPERTS ON ENERGY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

UN Headquarters, New York
26 February-2 March 2001                                                                                                    >>Version française: BNT<<

 

Web archives, including photos and RealAudio:
| Monday 26| Tuesday 27| Wednesday 28| Thursday 01| Friday 02 |

Highlights from Tuesday, 27 February
Delegates made general comments on the draft negotiating text entitled: submitted by the Co-Chairs of the Group of Experts (E/CN.17/ESD/2001/L.1). The draft text outlines challenges and recommendations related to seven key issues: accessibility of energy; energy efficiency; renewable energy; advanced fossil fuel technologies; nuclear energy technologies; rural energy; and energy and transportation. The draft text also contains sections on: overarching issues (research and development, information-sharing and dissemination, markets, technology transfer, capacity-building, financial resource mobilization, and multi-stakeholder approach and public participation); regional cooperation; and international cooperation. Above photo: Co-Chair Irene Freudenschuss Reichl (Austria)

Click here for coverage on a briefing on the High Level Regional Meeting on Energy for Sustainable Development for Asia and the Pacific held in Indonesia, 23-24 November, 2000

JoAnne DiSano, Director, Division for Sustainable Developement, made the distinction between the InterAgency Task Force and the Energy Expert Group and said they are not dependent on each other. She said the Task Force's aim is to consolidate efforts and avoid duplication on the issue of energy within the UN system. She invited delegates to a attend a briefing on the Task ForceWednesday, 28 February.

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Above, JoAnne DiSano, Director, Division for Sustainable Development, Co-Chair Irene Freudenschuss Reichl (Austria) and Co-Chair Mohammad Reza Salamat (Iran)
Iran, for the G-77/China, presented the positions of the group. The Group proposed, inter alia deleting reference to carbon sequestration and to "wide-scale" application of carbon capture and storage under advanced fossil fuel technologies. On the overarching issue of public participation, suggested strengthening the capacity of community-based organizations and the role of women

On nuclear energy, Saudi Arabia suggested insertion of a new subparagraph on the phase-out of nuclear energy. On the overarching issue of making markets work better, Saudi Arabia, opposed the EU and suggested including the re-adaptation of existing energy tax structure in developed countries to reflect their environmental pollution.

On enhancing energy efficiency, China enhancing technology transfer and increasing financial support was critical. Regarding rural energy, China proposed adding text on sustainable forest management. China also emphasized the right of all countries to develop nuclear energy.
Members of the Iranian delegation huddle before the morning session to go over amendments they will present on behalf of the G-77/China. On overarching issues, the G-77/China, with Colombia, the Russian Federation and Saudi Arabia,proposed deleting a section regarding a message to other intergovernmental bodies under international cooperation.

Colombia, supported by Barbados and Guyana, suggested a new paragraph on phase-out of transboundary movement of nuclear waste, especially through the coasts of non-OECD countries. Barbados suggested language stating that nuclear energy sources are neither appropriate nor acceptable for use in Small Island Developing States, to which Saudi Arabia added "all developing countries." On renewable energy, Colombia, supported by Cuba, Algeria, Guyana, proposed including reference to the World Solar Program.

On rural energy, Sweden, for the EU, said stressed the role of biomass, and high investment costs and connection fees that hamper production and use of renewables in rural energy supply. On the overarching issue of making markets work better, the EU, supported by Australia, suggested creating open and competitive energy markets within a regulatory framework.

 

On energy efficiency, Australia (left), with Canada, Norway, Japan, and Turkey, opposed references to indicative goals for energy efficiency. On rural energy, Australia said difficulties in energy provision relate to the structure of energy markets in rural areas. On the overarching issue of research and development, he suggested wording to reflect further incentives for private sector investment within an enabling environment with equitable sharing of risk in energy production and distribution.
On capacity building, Antigua and Barbuda, supported by Canada (right), highlighted the role of GEF. On information sharing and dissemination, the US, supported by Canada and Australia, suggested including information on inter alia costs and ancillary benefits associated with environmental technologies and suggested internet-based clearing-house mechanisms. The Egyptian delegate (left)

Briefing on the High Level Regional Meeting on Energy for Sustainable Development
This side event provided a briefing on the High Level Regional Meeting on Energy for Sustainable Development held in Bali, Indonesia, 23-24 November, 2000, which was sponsored by the Indonesian delegation. A summary of this event is contained in E/CN.17/2001/10. Panelists included JoAnne DiSano, Director, Division for Sustainable Development (photo: left center) who said she believed the outcome of the Bali meeting (the Bali Declaration and the Programme of Action had contributed significantly to the future of energy and to the energy issue. She said it provided an exemplary illustration of what can be done at the regional level, in terms of regional cooperation. Filino Harahap of the Indonesian delegation (bottom right), said the conference addressed how to deliver subsidies to targeted groups. He also highlighted difficulties in combating smuggling of oil and other liquid fuels because of disparities of prices with neighboring countries. Bob Alderson, Australia (bottom left), provided a briefing on the results of a business meeting held at the Bali conference. He said four working groups dealt with: energy end use efficiency; access to energy services in remote locations; energy infrastructure; and energy and environment. He said business risks must be shared between governments and business, and that the key ways to ensure balance include making sure that the regulatory environment is transparent and predictable. He said some subsidies will be necessary sometimes, but that they must be well targeted and transparent, and should relate to infrastructure, rather than prices. Pranesh Chandra Saha, Environment and Natural Resources Development Division, ESCAP (bottom center), said that through the Bali Declaration and a regional action programme, the Asia and Pacific Region has developed a common platform to develop issues in the region. He underscored the commitment of governments in accelerating a shift toward sustainable energy use, and highlighted priority areas, in particular accessibility of energy. He said one of the action areas is devoted to meet the needs and priorities of pacific island countries, and to create renewable energy in developing island states. He highlighted results of the NGO symposium organized in parallel to the conference. He said that now the programme must be translated into concrete action.

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