OREANDA-NEWS. June 20, 2011. SOCAR and Organization of Global Partnership to reduce firing of associated gas of the World Bank hosted a conference on utilization of associated gas in Baku. The event was attended by the representatives of European and Central Asian countries specialized in this sphere.

During the conference, SOCAR Vice-president on ecology Ms. Rafiga Huseynzade presented the letter of congratulation of SOCAR President Mr. Rovnag Abdullayev. As the letter notes, the solution of the environmental issues has become a priority for Azerbaijan in recent years. SOCAR successfully cooperates with the World Bank within the Organization of Global Partnership to reduce firing of associated gas since 2008. At present, corresponding measures are taken to reduce firing of gas and impacts to climate change within the SOCAR strategy.

According to the WB manager for Azerbaijan, Joseph Owen, now all the countries worldwide need to find a balance between renewable and alternative energy sources. As he mentioned, SOCAR is currently successfully implementing the program for utilization of associated gas. WB representative also said the states should play an active role to ensure the success of similar processes in the world as it is done in Azerbaijan.

The event was attended by the members of Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan, representatives of the organizations of Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, NGOs operating in Azerbaijan, as well as officials of SOCAR, BP-Azerbaijan, Statoil, ENI, Norwegian Petroleum Directorates, Canadian provinces of Alberta, and Questor Technology.