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# 07-073
May 8, 2007
updated
6/18/07
Developing coordinated
policies on energy and the environment is a key issue in the
Asia-Pacific Region according to U.S. Ambassador to Japan, J. Thomas
Schieffer. The ambassador, speaking to attendees of an April 2007
conference on “Energy Security Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific,”
also stated that energy – its security, stability and deliverability
– drives much of our respective foreign policies, thus making it
vital for countries to explore new cooperative solutions.
Co-hosted by the Japan Institute of International Affairs in Tokyo,
and the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies the April
multi-national forum focused on improving regional understanding and
cooperation on Asia-Pacific energy issues. It provided a venue for
robust and candid discussion of various national perspectives and
policy options among senior security practitioners and energy
experts from Australia, China, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Panama,
the Republic of Korea, Russia, and the United States.
According to APCSS Professor Mohan Malik, “Recognizing that the
challenge of assuaging energy insecurities can be met only through
greater communication and joint cooperation among Asia-Pacific
nations, this conference was conducted in a series of focused and
facilitated discussions.”
In addition, Dr. Malik said that conference attendees concluded that
a three-pronged approach to energy policy based on supply security,
energy substitution, and conservation is needed to promote energy
security worldwide. “It raised awareness and enhanced confidence
among participants to develop modes of cooperation and networks that
can be tapped for future action to resolve energy security issues.”
Objectives of the conference included developing a framework for
characterizing dimensions of Asia-Pacific energy security;
identifying areas for coordinated institutional and policy action;
and formulating fresh, regional approaches to energy management; and
sustained cooperative action.
Some of the findings included:
- Regional economic
growth will continue with strong dependence on energy
consumption. Consequently, lowering energy intensity and
enhancing conservation will remain the most viable approach to
rationalizing energy consumption and avoiding potential energy
resource conflict.
- General
appreciation for the importance and urgency of developing
alternative energy sources and addressing CO2 generated climate
change with the realistic expectation of dependency on
hydrocarbon fuels in the near future. Nuclear energy seen as
most promising alternative, requiring regional collaboration.
- Oil and coal will
remain the dominating consumption resource driven by India and
China’s energy needs. Gas consumption preferred but hampered by
the high cost of coal conversion to gas and transportation
challenges. Encourage and assist India and China in building
adequate strategic reserves.
- Maritime
transportation of energy will dominate in the region despite
growth in pipeline networks. Thus, continued reliance on U.S.
for security of sea lanes and strategic straits.
- Japan’s energy
strategy, based on conservation, advanced and safe technologies,
recognized as possible model for developing energy sectors in
countries in the region. Particularly, China is interested in
receiving Japanese energy technology.
The conference
concluded with attendees agreeing that the future actions should
include the following:
- Identify and
promote energy cooperation opportunities in international and
regional organizations and the private sector.
- Engage China to
dispel suspicions about U.S. energy ambitions and use energy
dialogue with China as a Confidence Building Measure.
- Use important
regional forums to advance energy cooperation and promote
workshop findings and recommendations.
- Use APCSS as a
catalyst and clearing house for follow-on activities with
regional partners and organizations for the purpose of enhancing
regional energy cooperation and confidence building.
-end-
Click here for a copy of the
conference report
Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies
The
APCSS addresses regional and global security issues, inviting
military and civilian representatives of the United States and 45
Asia-Pacific nations to its comprehensive program of courses and
conferences, both in Hawaii and throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
The Center supports the U.S. Pacific Command’s objective of
developing professional and personal ties among national security
establishments throughout the region. APCSS focuses on a
multilateral and multi-dimensional approach to defining and
addressing regional security issues and concerns. The most
beneficial result is building relationships of trust and confidence
among future leaders and decision-makers within the region.
Japan Institute of International Affairs
Founded in 1959, The JAPAN INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS is
Japan's foremost center for producing and disseminating ideas on
international relations. As an academically independent institution
affiliated with the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the
Institute is a source of authoritative interpretations of Japanese
foreign policy. Building on its work of publication, international
scholarly collaboration and policy recommendation, the Institute is
a forum for informed public debate.
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