24 MAY 2013

News from the Archive

11 September 2006, ASEM 6
Chairman's Press Remarks 3 - Sustainable energy including environment and energy security

Leaders emphasised the importance of respecting the limits of the planet's natural resources and of ensuring a high level of protection and improvement of the quality of the environment. The next ASEM Environment Ministers' Meeting to be hosted by Denmark in spring 2007 is an excellent occasion to carry on this dialogue. Leaders also noted the valuable role of related ASEM activities including the Oceans Initiative and the Asia-Europe Environment Forum.

Leaders affirmed that Asia and Europe have a joint responsibility in contributing to the multilateral dialogue on further development of international climate change policies and cooperation. In this context, they adopted the the first ASEM6 Declaration on Climate Change. The Declaration aims specifically at contributing to the multilateral efforts in meeting present and future commitments under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Kyoto Protocol with the goal of stabilising greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere. The firm support expressed by the Summit is a remarkable step in taking the process forward as the international community is preparing for the UN climate conferences in Nairobi in November 2006.

Leaders recognised that all countries need reliable, sustainable, and affordable flows of energy for their development. Therefore it is essential to work for stable, effective and transparent global energy markets as well as proper conditions for investment. Prime Minister Vanhanen remarked that the Energy Charter Treaty is an important instrument in this context. The Summit also emphasised that energy security can be improved by promoting energy efficiency and energy savings, by encouraging the use of renewable and alternative energies, and by diversifying energy sources.

Leaders stressed the importance of aiming for energy efficiency and wider use of renewable energies and clean technologies, as the decisions of today will be critical for the world of tomorrow. According to Prime Minister Vanhanen, Finland has contributed to this process through the ongoing International Energy Audit Conference, from which Finland expects lasting results. The Summit also highlighted the importance of improving access to modern energy services for the poor, as called for in the Millennium Development Goals.

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