Asia – wide energy planning on the agenda
Qingdao, China, AP
Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai yesterday called for Asian governments to develop long – term plans to ease energy shortages as officials of 22 nations opened a regional conference.
Officials at the two – day annual meeting of the Asia Co – operation Dialogue, founded in 2002 at the initiative of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, plan to issue a joint declaration today about regional energy co – operation.
“We cannot afford to shy away from the hard decisions on managing our energy resources,” Dr. Surakiart said at the start of the gathering in the northeastern Chinese port of Qingdao.
“we need to accept the reality that we no longer live in an era of cheap oil prices. We need to look long – term and develop our resources.”
Prime Minister Thaksin will ask for co – operation in the promotion of cropbased fuel when he gives a speech at the conference today.
Mr. Thaksin said yesterday in Bongkok that since Asian nations are major producers of farm products and designers and producers of engines, as well as energy consumers, they should work together in producing bio – fuel and engines that can be run with ethanol or bio – diesel.
The Prime Minister said he would also urged Asian countries to look at natural gas and solar power as another energy sources.
His speech will also touch on the establishment of the Asia bond market and trade co – operation among countries in the region.
Other participants at the conference include China, Japan, South Korea and several Gulf nations