22 Asian nations call for greater energy cooperation
In developing new sources, conservation technologies
Business Bulletin, Wednesday, June 23, 2004
By Audra Ang
Qingdao , China (AP) - Alarmed at high oil prices, foreign ministers from 22 Asian nations is sued a joint appeal Tuesday for greater cooperation in developing new energy sources and conservation technologies.
The appeal came in a statement issued at a meeting of the Asia Co-operation Dialogue, which includes Japan , China , South Korea , India and other major energy consumers.
The statement reflects Asian anxiety over how to meet demands for energy to drive the region's booming economies. Many depend on improved oil and gas, and worry about the stability of prices and suppliers. China , Japan and others are competing for access to sources in Russia and elsewhere.
"Enhanced energy cooperation is necessary to safeguard Asian energy security and promote economic development in all countries," Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said in a speech to the conference.
"We stand ready to conduct energy dialogue and cooperation with other countries in Asia and the world at large," Wen said.
The Joint statement called for Asian governments to share more technologies and cooperate in developing energy sources and building oil and gas pipelines.
"We will also enhance cooperation in the development and application of energy-efficient technologies," it said.
Conference host China , once able to supply its own energy needs, has seen imports jump as its economy boomed. Chinese state oil companies have spent billions of dollars in recent years to secure suppliers from the Gulf, Central Asia and elsewhere.
China and Japan are promoting competing plans for a Russian pipeline to connect them to Siberian oil fields.
"The increasing demand and high consumption of oil has depleted natural reserves of energy sooner than expected," Thai Prime Minister Thanksin Shinawatra said in a speech. " Asia . must look closely into the strategy of oil usage as well as the research and development of alternative and substitute energy."
When promised to work toward an "energy-saving society" by promoting research on efficiency. He said China planned to rely on nuclear power and its abundant coal supplies as it tries to reduce dependence on imported energy suppliers.
Thaksin said oil was expected to remain Asia 's primary energy source for at least 20 years. He said the region would be the world's biggest energy consumer by 2020, accounting for 35 percent of global demand.
"That will pose a huge obstacle for many Asian countries still trying to emerge from the poverty line," the Thai leader said.
Thaksin also urged Asian countries to combat the causes of terrorism by fighting poverty and increasing trade.
"While there remains poverty, there remains discontent," he said. " Asia 's priority therefore is to reduce and eradicate poverty."
The Asia Cooperation Dialogue was founded in 2002 at Thaksin's initative.
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