Statement by H.E. Mr. Hamid Chitchian
Senior Deputy-Minister of Energy
On "Energy for Sustainable Development, industrial
Development, air pollution/atmosphere, and climate change"
before the
14th Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development
United Nations Headquarters, New York
10 May, 2006
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Mr. Chairman
I congratulate you on your well deserved election as chairman of CSD-14. While thanking the
Bureau members and the secretariat for the excellent job they have done so far, I would like to
make several comments with regard to the four themes under consideration.
Excellencies;
Ladies and Gentlemen;
Energy resources remain essential for sustained economic growth and development in all
countries. Needless to emphasize its impacts on all other aspects of life. So, in order to secure
availability, utilization and also to make the best use of energy resources, removal of the
following constraints and barriers should be in priority at national, regional and international
levels:
1. Unsustainable utilization of energy resources which lead to the depletion of natural
resources;
2. Unsustainable patterns of production and consumption;
3. Lack of awareness about the consequences of unsustainable development; as well as
inadequate means and infrastructures for training and promotion of human resource
development;
4. Adverse social consequences of removal of energy subsidies, particularly for
vulnerable layers of societies in developing countries;
5. High costs of investment for diversification of energy sources including renewables,
due to the fact that, even with the present prices, still fossil fuels are more affordable and reliable.
6. High costs of advanced technologies imported from developed countries for
exploration, extraction, refineries, distribution and consumption of energy resources as well as
high costs of energy efficiency technologies;
7. Lack of appropriate regulations, poor governance, pollution control
mismanagement, weakness in enforcement of energy-related laws, lead to more pollution and
atmospheric problems;
8. The need for means of implementation including capacity building, transfer of
advanced technologies, financial resources, regional and international cooperation, education,
guidelines and regulations, and promotion of human resources particularly in developing
countries.
In order to pursue the policy of energy for sustainable development, my government has
rendered several measures and reached fruitful results that I would like to share with you,
distinguished participants:
The measures include: standardization of energy consumption, labeling home appliances and
industrial facilities, installation of combined cycles and cogeneration facilities in order to
increase efficiency of power plants, gradual shifting from the utilization of oil to natural gas in
residential areas, industries, power plants, and transport system. These policies and measures
have led considerably to production of less green house gas emissions in my country.
In spite of constraints and barriers, Iran has had significant achievements in production and
diversification of energy. At present, 100% of the people in urban areas, and 99% of people in
rural areas have access to national electricity grid. There is a plan to supply electricity for the rest
of the population by utilization of renewable sources of energy such as solar, wind, geothermal,
small hydro, and biomass. More than 12.5% of 40,000 MW of installed power generations'
capacities are based on renewable energies, mainly by big and small hydro and wind. This
proportion is increasing.
I thank you all
