NEWS AND EVENTS

20 - 23 April 2005

The World Trade Organization Tenth Anniversary Symposium - High Level Panel

Upon the invitation of the United Nations Foundations, Mr. Mersie Ejigu, President and Chief Executive Officer of PAES participated in the High Level Panel on Rethinking the Energy Paradigm held at the WTO HQ Conference Hall, Geneva , Switzerland .

In his presentation, Mr. Ejigu explained that Africa depends heavily on biomass energy (firewood, agricultural residues, animal wastes, and charcoal). End-use efficiency for this traditional fuel is low, because a high concentration of fuels is needed to produce a low level of energy. Further, w ood, including charcoal, is perhaps the most environmentally detrimental biomass energy source. Today, deforestation, land degradation and the consequent environmental and energy scarcity threaten livelihoods of many Africans.

For Africa , he argued, "Rethinking the Energy Paradigm" is not a choice but an absolute necessity. The Doha Ministerial Declaration provides a framework for addressing energy issues in the multilateral trading system. However, because most African countries are not producers of exportable environmental goods and services, they may not gain from provisions of Article (iii) of the Declaration that encourages negotiations for the removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers. Support to Africa should, instead, take the form of strengthening the renewable energy production capacity; assisting the development of sustainable trade and energy policy; putting in place measures to reduce the burden of high-energy costs; and promoting investment in renewable energies.

Mr. Ejigu concluded, a national policy/strategy that links trade, environment, energy and development is a tool for implementing the New Energy Paradigm. Policy development and increased investment in biomass are among the key priority steps to be taken immediately.