Doha, 10 October 2013

 

Sustainable energy in Arab countries was the topic of the keynote speech by Najib Saab, secretary general of the Arab Forum for Environment and Development (AFED), at the Global Clean Energy Forum organized by the International Herald Tribune in Doha. 250 energy industry leaders from 25 countries participated in the conference, inaugurated by Abdullah Al-Attiyah, chairman of the Administrative Control and Transparency Authority of Qatar.

 

Energy systems in the Arab region, Saab said, are dominated by fossil fuels and are not sustainable in economic, environmental or social terms. Although energy intensity and per capita carbon emissions are among the highest in the world, 35 million Arab people are without access to modern energy services, mainly electricity. Unlike many parts of the world, however, the Arab region is well endowed with clean, renewable sources of energy, primarily solar. Together with enhanced energy efficiency and cleaner technologies, those renewable sources can help diversify and power a more sustainable energy future.

 

Saab added that the 2013 AFED annual report on Sustainable Energy in Arab countries, due to be released this month, concludes that, with a long-term commitment and the right policies and investments, Arab countries could be leaders in the global clean energy club. But unrestrained subsidies to conventional fuels are hindering wide-spread deployment of renewable energy, discouraging private sector investments, and hindering energy efficiency.

 

Saab concluded that, “by harnessing safe, reliable, and clean energy, Arab countries can create jobs and businesses, improve air quality and public health, mitigate climate change, and export renewable energy in addition to oil and gas.”

 

The full AFED report will be released during an international conference, 28-29 October, at the American University of Sharjah. www.afedonline.org/conference