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| Assistant Secretary General of the Organisation of American States (OAS), Ambassador Albert Ramdin told the participants at the Caribbean Regional Sustainable Energy High Level Seminar, held here on Wednesday that to achieve energy security and sustainability, government, the private sector and civil society at large must "pool resources, develop synergies, and work together to support the needs of the Caribbean in this emerging sector". (File photo) | |
NASSAU, Bahamas, July 24, 2008 - Assistant Secretary General of the Organisation of American States (OAS), Ambassador Albert Ramdin, has warned that urgent and concerted action is needed to prevent energy uncertainty from reversing the Caribbean's development.
He told the participants at the Caribbean Regional Sustainable Energy High Level Seminar, held here on Wednesday that to achieve energy security and sustainability, government, the private sector and civil society at large must "pool resources, develop synergies, and work together to support the needs of the Caribbean in this emerging sector".
"Soaring petroleum prices, combined with the region's high dependence on imported fuels, are taking a huge toll on the region's fragile economies," Ambassador Ramdin said, calling on the region to come up with a proper energy plan.
"There is no doubt that the situation could have far-reaching social, economic, financial and, I may add, political consequences if the issue of energy security is not addressed swiftly and decisively by the region's leaders. It is clear that the time for concrete action with achievable targets is now."
Ambassador Ramdin said that political will at the highest level, decisive public and private sector leadership are also vital to making the right choices and to allocating the required human and financial resources.
"Together, we can find a solution that will pave the way for energy security and sustainability in the Caribbean; one that does not create hazards to human health and the environment," he said, stressing that energy security and sustainability must complement the region's food security efforts.
Sustainable energy must also be supported by sound research and development capabilities, Ambassador Ramdin added, noting the approach to the region's common challenges in sustainable energy has lasting implications for economic and social development and stability.
During his keynote address, the OAS official said that body was committed to supporting renewable energy, energy efficiency and bio-energy in the Caribbean.
"This commitment should be placed in the context of the emergence of a New Sustainable Energy Order in our hemisphere and the need to design a new development paradigm in the hemisphere - one with less poverty, greater prosperity, greater social equity and a cleaner environment for all," he said.
The Assistant Secretary General also announced that additional funds had been negotiated in order to extend the Global Sustainable Energy Islands Initiative (GSEII) to the Bahamas and Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) member countries.
The GSEII was launched in November 2000 by a consortium of international organisations to assist small island states in their efforts to transform their energy base from fossil fuels to a system based on renewables and energy efficiency technologies. GSEII projects have so far been undertaken in St Lucia, Grenada and Dominica.
Ambassador Ramdin identified the historic geothermal exploration on the island of Nevis as example of a huge potential for renewable energy in the region.
He stressed that energy efficiency is also vital and must therefore be placed "at the front and centre of the policy debate in our region".
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