Annex- A: Plan of Action for Energy/Petroleum Cooperation in ECO Region (2001-2005)

8th Consultative Meeting of 

Executive Heads of Sub-Regional Organizations

I. INTRODUCTION:

 

1.1  The First Meeting of Executive Directors of Oil, Gas, Petrochemical & Power (MEDOG&P-  Almaty, 8-9 October 1999) with reference to the recommendations of First ECO Experts Meeting on the Region’s Energy Resources Development and their Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA-Islamabad, 28-29 September 1999) and the output of the 3rd High Level Experts Task Group Meeting on ECO Oil & Gas Pipelines Route(s) (3rd-HLETG, Islamabad 30 September-1st October 1999), and 9th RPC meeting’s decision on the feasibility study for the interconnection of the power grids of ECO Member States following the recommendations of the 2nd Meeting of Specialized Experts Task Group (2nd SETG), took into consideration the need to have a more focused energy cooperation to sustain  the robust economic growth in the ECO region.  The meeting prepared draft documents for promoting energy cooperation for submission to the First Ministerial Meeting on Energy/Petroleum.  Subsequently, with due consideration of the above  the Senior Energy/Petroleum Officials Meeting (Islamabad, 6-7 November 2000 ) finalized drafts of Joint Statement together with this Plan of Action that were adopted at the First ECO Ministerial meeting held on November 8,2000 in Islamabad .

 

2. OBJECTIVES:

           

2.1  The general objective of energy cooperation in ECO region is to pursue activities that would enhance economic cooperation in the region.  The specific objectives of the Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation are as follows:

 

i)          To coordinate, expedite and enhance the implementation of existing strategic energy cooperation programmes.

ii)        To develop and promote ways and means to expand the sustainable development and efficient use of indigenous energy resources (fossil and non-fossil) for fuels and power generation.

iii)        To strengthen existing regional institutions related to energy activities through the coordinated sharing of existing facilities or centers of excellence for energy training and research among 

Member States, to establish and to form a more effective overall ECO energy training and research and development network.

iv)        To establish an ECO policy framework, and to encourage regular exchange of information on the formulation and implementation of energy policies;

v)       To synchronize activities of the various ECO energy fora towards predetermined objectives.

vi)        To promote sustainable self-supporting ECO cooperation activities to address issues of common concern.

 

3. PRIORITY FIELDS FOR ENHANCED ENERGY COOPERATION:

 

3.1  The priority fields of common interest identified for more intensive follow-up during this Plan of Action are:  transportation and trade of oil, gas, electricity and other forms of energy within and across ECO region, environmental impacts of energy exploration and use, human resource development, research and development, energy policy and planning, institutional development and effective coordination and cooperation.

 

4. PROPOSED ACTIONS:

 

4.1  The following specific priority actions are proposed to be taken:

 

i)          Energy Coordination:

The Directorate of Energy, Mineral & Environment of the ECO Secretariat should undertake the responsibility to ensure the coordination needed to implement the Plan of Action.

 

ii)         Electricity:

To continue the task of working out a comprehensive techno-economic appraisal of interconnection and parallel functioning of  electricity systems of ECO Member States to evaluate possibilities and benefits in this regard.

 

iii)        Human Resource Development:

Energy related training institutes in ECO region may develop an interactive network for sharing information, facilities and expertise for mutual benefit of the Member States.

 

iv)        Research & Development:

Centers of excellence in hydrocarbon research in ECO region may be identified/established for coordinating joint research programmes and exchange of experts for upgrading skills in the Member  States.

 

v)         Energy & Environment:

As recommended by the Meeting of Experts in Energy Resources Development and their Environmental Impact Assessment in ECO region held at Islamabad during 28-29 September 1997, coordination among ECO Member States may be establish for:

• Strengthening energy-environment database of the Region;

• Collating and disseminating innovative and effective energy impact assessment techniques in the Region;

• Identifying suitable institutional structures for treating energy-environment concerns in national energy plans of the Member States;

• Suggesting development of linkages of ECO with other sub-regional, regional and international organizations dealing with energy-environment issues;

 

vi)        Energy Efficiency & Conservation:

The Member States shall endeavour to cooperate in:

• pursuing energy conservation measures of  common interest;

• undertaking various energy management and conservation activities; and

• sharing information on energy conservation studies and activities of their own countries.

 

vii)       Energy Policy & Planning:

Workshops, seminars, etc., may be organized for the development and updating of national energy plans of ECO Member States with a view to acquiring and sharing latest techniques in energy planning and policy development.

 

viii)      Energy Financing:

Aspects of financing of energy projects within ECO region may be addressed in the short, medium and long term, including financing from ECO Trade and Development Bank (when established) and/or other regional and international financial institutions.  In the short term, support of Islamic Development Bank may be sought for creating a separate portfolio for seed financing of energy projects in the ECO region.

 

5. MECHANISM FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PLAN OF ACTION:

 

5.1  The implementation of this Plan of Action shall be the responsibility of the concerned authorities in the Member States.  The management and coordination of the programme shall be pursued by the ECO Secretariat.  The ECO Secretariat, in collaboration with national focal points and relevant institutions/ authorities in the Member States, shall coordinate and closely monitor the activities of the action programme:

 

5.2  Adhoc working groups may be established, if considered necessary, to assist in formulating and implementing policies, strategies and programmes.  The working groups would meet, whenever necessary, in accordance with ECO rules and procedures.

 

5.3  In order to facilitate the implementation of the Plan of Action, each Member  State shall designate a national focal point to coordinate and oversee the implementation of its in-country components.

 

5.4  Each Member State shall endeavour to provide full support  for the implementation of this Plan of Action.

 

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