OREANDA-NEWS. On May 31, 2007 participants in the Ministerial Conference “Energy in a Changing World” which took place at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, discussed global energy development issues, reported the Official website www.minprom.gov.ru.

The participants:

Consider that modern civilization is entering a qualitatively new stage in its development, a stage characterised by much greater interdependence. They agreed therefore on the need for a multilateral, multidisciplinary dialogue to discuss ways to further develop mutually agreeable models of living together.

Support the fundamental principles of the Millennium Declaration, the policy statements adopted by the G8 Summits in Gleneagles and Saint Petersburg as well as in the Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development.

Understand that energy is essential for life on earth and that energy issues are essential to the future of humanity.

Note that energy is one of the foundations of the development of modern civilisation in all its diversity. Short-sighted policies and a failure to understand the complexity of current global energy developments could result in catastrophic consequences for all mankind.

Conclude that the importance of the humanitarian dimension of energy issues must be properly recognised as a factor when seeking solutions to global energy problems such as energy efficiency, energy saving and energy poverty reduction as part of the process of implementing sustainable development.

Believe that UNESCO can contribute to sustainable global energy development and the enhancement of the humanitarian energy dialogue at international, regional, and national levels thanks to its multidimensional expertise in science, education and culture.

Agree that to address the growth in energy demand and the need for a reliable and environmentally responsible energy supply system, countries, in the interests of a prosperous future for all its citizens, should undertake the structural changes, where needed, and efforts to develop further, implement and disseminate environmentally sound renewable energy as a realistic and complementary option to conventional forms of energy generation. Access to energy presupposes access to energy technologies.

The volatility of the conventional energy prices makes vulnerable most of developing countries. Access to new emerging sustainable and renewable energy technologies at affordable price will help address the issue. Dissemination of such technologies to concerned countries is therefore a necessary measure to be undertaken. 

Developing and implementing innovative energy technologies will ensure long-term benefits in terms of environmental protection, economy and energy security, and pave the way for a sustainable global energy future.

Are convinced that concerted actions at national, regional and global levels are of vital importance for the effective use of renewable energy. This view is reflected in particular in the recommendations of the UN Commission for Sustainable Development.

Intend to continue coordinating joint international efforts and developing effective dialogue to address complex energy-related problems, ranging from accessibility to clean electricity generation development, in order to meet the demands of the fast-growing global market.

Agree that a drastic reduction of the gap in terms of energy supply between the developed and less developed “energy-poor” countries is a major aspect of energy security. At present, 1.6 billion people have no access to electricity. This problem is most acute in Africa, where fifty percent of the urban population and nine out of ten people in rural areas live without electricity.
Note the need to continue elaboration of a common position of the leading countries of the world with regard to measures to be taken to fight energy poverty, including the unsatisfactory access of the poorest countries to modern sources of energy.

Support the continuation of a high-level dialogue on these global energy problems and recognise the role of UNESCO and other relevant UN entities as well as international organizations and fora in the international energy dialogue.

The Conference calls upon the Heiligendamm G8 Summit to take positive decisions on the following concrete initiatives to work out a new approach towards Sustainable Development:

Exchange of appropriate energy technologies with the aim of enhancing energy efficiency and management and consequently ensuring the stability of the world energy system, with the active involvement of business and academic communities;

Development and implementation of best practices in the area of energy education;

Development of a classification schema and indicators to help evaluate modern sustainable energy services and affordable supply;

Specific commitments by the G8 members to reduce energy poverty.