16APPF-RES-05-Energy-Security.pdf
16th ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ASIA – PACIFIC PARLIAMENTARY FORUM
21 – 24 January 2008, Auckland, New Zealand
APPF16/RES/05
(Sponsored by Chile, Indonesia, Mexico, New Zealand, and Russia)
THE SIXTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ASIA PACIFIC PARLIAMENTARY FORUM
Noting the vital need for accessible and reliable energy sources, which play a key role in securing economic growth and the region's stable development;
Recognising that oil supply disruptions can affect all economies of nations represented in the APPF;
Recognising the growing dependence of the Asia-Pacific economies on an external supply of energy, linked to the explosive economic growth present in the region, and the global nature of energy security and its link to climate change, as one of the most critical issues of the contemporary world;
Convinced that we must identify strategies and implement necessary measures to ensure the energy security of the Asia- Pacific member economies;
Bearing in mind enormous future energy demands and growth in energy product consumption, it is of great importance not only to increase energy supplies, but also to secure environmental stability and social development;
Underlining that energy security may only be ensured if we are constantly developing new sources of energy;
Noting that to strengthen energy security, cooperation is needed between producing countries, transit countries and consuming countries. Policies need to be developed strictly fulfilling the assumed responsibilities and agreements of all concerned parties;
Assuming that fossil fuels will continue to hold the primary position in meeting the energy requirements of our region and the world as a whole;
Taking into account that oil is a non-renewable resource that will eventually run out and recognising that at some date global oil production will begin to decline as it becomes progressively more costly to recover more from known reserves;
Understanding that energy security also includes the promotion of sustainable energy, efficient use of energy resources, and welcoming initiatives to promote the efficient use of energy, especially in the construction and transportation areas;
Reiterating the need to pursue new energy resources and technology development, the expansion of renewable energy systems, the enhancement of the recycling of oil revenues, through regional or bilateral cooperation on research, sharing best practices and financing;
Convinced that innovation is required for the development of a wide variety of energy resources, such as bio-fuel, hydro power, solar power, wind power, biomass, geothermal power, tidal power, and to encourage the recycling, re-use of resources, residual management, and material recovery;
Stating that environmental protection and promotion of social development require the adoption of environmentally sound technologies for obtaining "clean" and efficient energy;
Recognising that energy security also involves caring about the impact of natural disasters on energy facilities and their risk to population and the environment;
Noting that it is parliaments' duty to represent their citizens and their perspective in the energy security discussion;
Persuaded that governmental action is crucial to ensuring the efficient use of multiple energy resources, and understanding the universal character of this issue, and the growing mutual interdependence among countries in the energy area, it is vital to develop common strategies to face this energy challenge;
Noting that in order to alleviate poverty, the provision of affordable energy for the population must become an integral part of energy security;
Recognising the dependence of many nations on oil as an energy source, and the difficulties some nations, and particularly developing nations, could face competing for scarce oil resources required to operate their basic infrastructure to enable human survival;
Noting the international agreements developed through the International Energy Agency requiring national response plans for interruptions in oil supply, including the commitment of IEA member countries to take common effective measures to meet oil supply emergencies by developing an emergency self-sufficiency in oil supplies, restraining demand and allocating available oil among their countries on an equitable basis;
Realising the limited supplies of most common forms of primary energy, such as oil and gas, and the uneven distribution of energy supplies among countries;
Recognising that political instability of some energy producing countries, the manipulation of energy supplies, competition over energy sources, attacks on supply infrastructure, as well as accidents and natural disasters all constitute threats to global energy security;
Underlining that energy from fossil fuel, if not rationally generated, is considered as one of the producers of greenhouse gas emissions which harms the environment and contributes to air pollution, global warming and natural disasters;Reaffirming the commitment made by APPF members on Energy Security adopted at the 15th Annual Meeting of the APPF in which the APPF paid serious attention to Energy Security;
RESOLVES TO: