WORLD SOLAR SUMMIT SCHEDULED FOR 16-17 SEPTEMBER IN ZIMBABWE, UNESCO REPRESENTATIVE TELLS ENERGY COMMITTEE
Press Release
EN/237
WORLD SOLAR SUMMIT SCHEDULED FOR 16-17 SEPTEMBER IN ZIMBABWE, UNESCO REPRESENTATIVE TELLS ENERGY COMMITTEE
19960221 A world solar summit will be held this year on 16 and 17 September in Harare, Zimbabwe, an official of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) which is involved in its organization, informed the Committee on New and Renewable Sources of Energy and on Energy for Development this morning.The official, Luis G. Marques, Special Adviser to UNESCO Director General, said the summit, to be held at the level of heads of State or government, would be at the personal invitation of President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe. It would be preceded by a meeting on 14 September, also in Harare, of the World Solar Commission. The Commission, chaired by President Mugabe and composed of 15 members at the level of heads of State or government serving in their personal capacity, was established as part of the Summit process to enhance the understanding of and to study the role that renewable sources of energy would play in the development of the world energy sector and preservation of the environment. The UNESCO Executive Board and the UNESCO General Conference had approved the composition of the Commission, following the initiation of President Mugabe.
Mr. Marques went on to say that fossil fuel sources, especially oil, would dwindle and become more expensive in the years to come, and the world need to prepare for that eventuality. One of the objectives of the world solar summit was to enhance understanding of the role that renewable sources of energy could play in the preservation of the environment, and in the provision of energy services, particularly for rural and remote areas. A number of regional consultations were planned leading up to the Summit.
In a discussion of the Solar Summit, experts asked for information on the composition of the Commission and its responsibilities. Experts noted that documentation for the Solar Summit had used both the name and logotypes of the Agence de l'Environnement et de la Maitrise de l'Energie of France, (ADEME) and the Italian National Agency for New Technologies (ENEA), Energy and the Environment without the permission of those agencies.
Experts also asked for information on the two to three billion dollar fund for 300 projects proposed for the 10-year period after the Summit. Others inquired about a possible list of those projects, and how would they be financed.
Mr. Marques stated that the Commission would not list ADEME or ENEA in its future documents until authorized to do so. The UNESCO had maintained relationships with those agencies "at the working level", he emphasized. The Director-General of UNESCO had written to all agencies of the United Nations system involved in energy to secure their participation in the Summit process. The Secretary-General of the United Nations had stated that the Summit would further the goals of Agenda 21 and had expressed his support.
A number of high national authorities that were not members of the Commission were expected to take part in the Summit, he said. President Mugabe had said that for logistic reasons he could not host more than 40 heads of State or government. Numerous non-governmental organizations and industry representatives were also going to take part.
Many had expressed scepticism when the Summit process began, but someone had to "get the ball rolling", Mr. Marques continued. There was a real need to improve the life of the 2.5 billion people who had no access to modern energy supplies. Access to renewable energy would improve their health situation, increase educational opportunities, allow for communications with their larger societies and provide economic development which could reduce urban migration.
It was hoped that the Summit would adopt a 10-year plan of action for renewable energy in the developing world. He did not expect 300 projects to be targeted prior to the Summit, but he did foresee that number as being realistic over a 10-year period. The question of a global fund would have to be decided at the Summit.
Experts from India, France, Russian Federation, Germany, Italy, Algeria, China, Netherlands and Kuwait participated in this morning's discussion.
Also this morning, the Committee discussed the provisional agenda and documentation for its third session in 1998. Some items proposed by experts for inclusion in the provisional agenda included the proposed convening in 2001 of a world conference on energy, recommendations of the Committee's earlier sessions and election of officers.
The election of new Committee members is expected to take place either this year or in 1997. The experts who serve in a personal capacity are nominated by governments and elected by the Economic and Social Council. They serve for four years.
The Committee will meet again at a date to be announced to finalize its report to the Economic and Social Council.
* *** *