His
Majesty's 'titah' on global efforts on energy sustainability at Apec 2011
HIS Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of
Brunei Darussalam yesterday said initiatives to save energy and raise
efficiency will be carried out in ways that do not adversely affect vulnerable
groups in the Sultanate.
In a titah at the Apec USA 2011, the monarch
threw support behind global efforts on energy efficiency, noting though the
need for Brunei to balance the interests of its people and the future.
His Majesty lauded the work of the
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) forum in its steps to secure energy
sustainability for the future, which the monarch noted were related to the
Sultanate's own initiatives.
During the second plenary session, the monarch
stressed that both energy efficiency and security were of "great
concerns" to Brunei, which as a net energy exporter needs to plan for a
sustainable future hinged on energy efficiency and conservation (EEC).
His Majesty said Brunei has started work on
reviewing its energy policies and promoting public awareness on EEC. These
include introducing new electricity tariffs, His Majesty was quoted as saying
in a press release from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
However, the monarch, who is also Brunei's
prime minister, noted that the government recognises the interests of
vulnerable members of the population in implementing such initiatives.
"Throughout the various programmes under
inclusive growth, the effect to (the) vulnerable group of the society will be
taken into consideration and the government will work to ensure that they are
not adversely impacted," the PMO statement said.
Apec's work in green growth was therefore
useful for Brunei, His Majesty noted, as the Sultanate looked to balancing the
interests of its people and the future. The monarch saw Apec as a platform in
facilitating capacity-building and technology transfer, which were
"essential" in realising the regional grouping's newly-revised energy
intensity target.
The leaders yesterday agreed to a
"non-binding" target to reduce by the year 2035 the 21 economies'
energy intensities, which measure energy efficiency against gross domestic
product (GDP), to 45 per cent of energy intensity levels seen in 2005.
The previous regional target was a reduction
of 25 per cent by 2030. The United States Energy Information Administration
(EIA) recorded in 2007 that Brunei's energy intensity was 25,453 Btu (British
thermal units) per US$2,000.
The new target was announced in a statement on
the outcomes of the Apec Economic Leaders' Meeting 2011, called the Honolulu
Declaration - Towards a Seamless Regional Economy.
"The declaration outlined (the leaders')
commitment to continue working together in strengthening regional economic
integration and expanding trade; promoting green growth; and towards regulatory
convergence and cooperation," the PMO statement said. "In looking
forward, the leaders agreed to take concrete steps toward a seamless regional
economy, in order to link their companies and market closer together for the
benefit of all."
His Majesty also joined the leaders of Mexico,
New Zealand, Russia, Taiwan and the United States in a dialogue with the Apec
Business Advisory Council (Abac)
His Majesty together with the other Apec
leaders also attended a working lunch before gathering for the customary group
photo.
The monarch departed Honolulu yesterday from
Hickam Air Force Base, where Assistant Chief of Protocol for the US State
Department Gladys Boluda and Brunei Ambassador to the US Dato Paduka Hj Yussof
Hj Abd Hamid, along with other embassy officials bid His Majesty farewell.
GOH DE NO & UBAIDILLAH MASLI
The Brunei Times
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