Energy Pact Conference

Mr. President of the State Council [Hiler]
Mr. Chairman [Schröder]
Distinguished speakers
Excellencies
Ladies and Gentlemen:

It gives me great pleasure to be with you today. Allow me, first of all, to thank the State Council of the Republic and Canton of Geneva and the organizers for establishing this useful platform for exchange on some of the main challenges before the international community. This effort to raise awareness of key issues on the United Nations’ agenda is another illustration of the strong relationship we enjoy with our Host Country, Canton and City, which we appreciate highly.
Ensuring a secure and steady energy supply that enables sustainable development, and supports our efforts to confront climate change is indeed a central challenge. As the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, has often stressed, climate change remains the only truly existential threat that we face as the human family. Recent findings confirm that climate change is, in fact, progressing at a much faster rate than previously anticipated. We can only address it effectively if we integrate energy and development policies. The global recession has only made this need all the more urgent.

Energy resources are fundamental to the efforts to realize the United Nations Millennium Development Goals – our blueprint for reducing global poverty by 2015. Let there be no doubt: there is no trade-off between fighting climate change and advancing development. On the contrary, we can only effectively move forward development by promoting our climate goals – and our response to the climate crisis must further economic and social goals. Energy is the element that combines these objectives. We need vision and leadership to ensure that we do not deplete our resource base.

According to the International Energy Agency, the world’s primary energy demand is expected to grow by 1.6% per year on average until 2030. In total, this means an increase in demand of 45% in just over 20 years. The Agency suggests that these trends call for an energy-supply investment of over $1 trillion every year to be able to meet this rising demand. But, the economic and financial crisis could delay spending, which – in turn – would weaken supply and set back our economic recovery even further.

This is why the Secretary-General has called for a “New Green Deal” to create new employment and foster sustainable markets while protecting our environment and natural resources. Efforts to increase the use of renewable and low-carbon energy sources, investment in energy efficient jobs and promotion of climate friendly practices must be part of a concerted response to climate change.

But, the emphasis on new technologies should not lead to neglect of our current energy problems. An investment is needed that spurs growth and fights climate change across all energy sectors. Investment and innovation must therefore be coupled with better use of existing sources of energy. There is a clear need for a greater focus on energy efficiency, and I hope that this important dimension will also be highlighted in the debates over the coming two days.

Energy problems should be dealt with on the basis of economic rules. Otherwise, they may generate political instability. The warming of our planet only amplifies this risk. An ongoing dialogue between consumers and producers is critical to energy security. The United Nations, as the world’s only truly global Organization, provides a particularly useful forum for strengthening this dialogue. Only by working together – Governments, international organizations, civil society and the private sector – can we respond to our shared challenges. I therefore welcome the participation of all stakeholder communities in the panels here.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

World leaders will come together in less than 9 months at the United Nations Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen to agree on a new comprehensive, inclusive and ratifiable climate deal to replace the Kyoto Protocol. Climate change, just like the economic crisis, calls for immediate action. But we must be mindful that this does not lead to narrow short-term fixes that undermine long-term objectives. We must draw on our collective knowledge, resources and creativity to link sustainability with growth. Let us keep in mind the potential advantages, if we commit – together – to the principles of green economic growth for a sustainable future for all. When we do so, we can turn our current challenges into opportunities.

I wish you all success in your discussions over the coming two days.

Thank you very much.