APEC calls for investment in energy infrastructure<\/p>\n
TOKYO (Agencies): Energy ministers from 21 Asian and Pacific
\nnations called Saturday for continual investment in energy
\ninfrastructure to pull the region out of its economic crisis.<\/p>\n
They also agreed to promote wider and more efficient use of
\nnatural gas and to set voluntary goals on energy-saving to cope
\nwith an anticipated shortage in the region.<\/p>\n
The appeals were contained in a declaration at the end of a
\ntwo-day meeting of energy ministers of the Asia-Pacific Economic
\nCooperation (APEC) forum in Okinawa, southern Japan.<\/p>\n
The document will be submitted to the group's summit in Kuala
\nLumpur in November.<\/p>\n
It urges APEC leaders to \"highlight the important role that
\nthe energy sector could play in the recovery from the current
\neconomic difficulties\" by improving the business environment,
\nbuilding efficient energy infrastructure and boosting energy
\nefficiency.<\/p>\n
\"Ministers recognized that continuous development of energy
\ninfrastructure is essential as a stimulus for economic recovery
\nas well as for sustainable development in the region,\" the
\ndeclaration says.<\/p>\n
It forecasts that primary energy demand in the region in 2010
\nwill expand by 41 percent and energy output by 31 percent from
\nthe 1995 level \"with total imports to be doubled as a
\nconsequence.\"<\/p>\n
The meeting heard estimates that hundreds of billions of
\ndollars would be needed over the next decade for power
\ninfrastructure in APEC economies, including the United States,
\nChina and Japan.<\/p>\n
Peru, Russia and Vietnam, due to become full APEC members in
\nNovember, were also represented at the meeting.<\/p>\n
Up to US$70 billion in investment will be needed for natural
\ngas infrastructure in Asia over the next 15 years to meet growing
\ndemand, the document says, along with hundreds of billions of
\ndollars in other APEC economies.<\/p>\n
\"Natural gas trading networks\" -- including pipelines,
\nliquefied natural gas terminals and distribution systems -- will
\npromote economic development and cooperation and trade between
\nthe APEC economies, the document says.<\/p>\n
\"Feasibility studies on pipeline projects in this region
\nshould be conducted,\" it says.<\/p>\n
On energy efficiency, the ministers agreed to implement a
\n\"voluntary pledge and review program\" on efficiency gains and
\nreport results.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the first APEC Oceans Conference in Hawaii next
\nweek will seek to coordinate a regional response to the threat
\nposed by over-fishing, the conference chairman said on Friday.<\/p>\n
D. James Baker, director of the U.S. National Oceanic and
\nAtmospheric Administration, said the Honolulu meeting of
\nofficials from Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum members
\nOct. 16-21 would address the critical importance of oceans to
\nPacific Rim economies.<\/p>\n
\"It emphasizes even more the need to look at oceans issues
\nwhich affect all of the Pacific Rim countries,\" Baker told a news
\nbriefing.<\/p>\n
The Hawaii meeting, ahead of next month's APEC leaders summit
\nin Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, takes place against a backdrop of
\nincreasingly grim statistics about the state of the world's
\noceans.<\/p>\n
A report issued in August by the World Wildlife Fund found
\nthat 70 percent of the world's major fishing grounds were being
\n\"strip mined\" by too many boats, which are catching almost twice
\nas much fish as can be sustainable harvested.<\/p>\n
Baker said the issue of fisheries would be one of the main
\ntopics on the table at the Honolulu conference, which will draw
\nmajor Pacific fishing nations such as Japan, Taiwan, South Korea,
\nPeru and Ecuador.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/apec-calls-for-investment-in-energy-infrastructure-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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