Papua New Guinea
Pacific SIDS Statement
? Thank you Mr. Chairman.
? The Pacific SIDS (namely, Fiji, Nauru, Niue, Marshall Islands, Federated
States of Micronesia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands,
Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu) are happy to participate in this event.
Energy
? An unacceptably high percentage of people in Pacific SIDS do not have
access to modern energy supplies.
? Concrete actions must be taken to improve access to reliable, affordable
and environmentally sound energy supplies in PSIDS.
? Pacific SIDS, like all other SIDS, are heavily dependent on petroleum and
fossil fuels for meeting most of their energy needs. The dependence on a
single source of energy is extremely costly (up to 30-40% of national
budgets) and compounds Pacific SIDS mounting vulnerability to external
shocks outside of their control;
? Areas with the largest potential for economic growth, such as tourism,
fisheries, agriculture and forestry are highly dependant on fossil fuel
based technology throughout the entire value chain.
? While renewable energy has potential as an alternative source of energy
for Pacific SIDS, the implementation and maintenance costs are major
barriers, for which SIDS need dedicated international support.
? Consequently, security of energy supply for sustainable development is a
critical issue and Pacific SIDS priority energy areas must be addressed
urgently and comprehensively. Policy, technical and financial assistance is
required, to;
o Secure an affordable source of Petroleum products and to
effectively manage national strategic reserves against supply side
disruptions. [This covers possible subsidies from oil producing/oil
supplying nations]
o Overcome the efficiency and cost penalties imposed by the
diseconomies of isolation and the lack of economies of scale in the
distribution, storage and handling of petroleum products in the
Pacific.
o Overcome the high sunk cost implications of large scale renewable
energy projects that aim to displace fossil dependency in urban
centers.
o Increase the use and affordability of appropriate renewable energy
technologies for rural populations in particular for lighting, water
reticulation and health and school centers.
o Assist in the establishment, management and sustainable land
management practices for sources for Biofuel production. Two
examples, Vanuatu and Marshall Islands using coconut oil.
o Improve energy efficiency and conservation ? energy efficient
appliances and light bulbs
o Implement appropriate renewable energy technologies and systems
that are durable, sustainable, affordable and suitable for the islands
[appropriate technology transfer] ? referenced: energy and gender
and the rural areas
o Improve access to financing modalities (public and private) for the
increased establishment of renewable energy systems.
? Thank you Mr. Chairman.
? The Pacific SIDS (namely, Fiji, Nauru, Niue, Marshall Islands, Federated
States of Micronesia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands,
Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu) are happy to participate in this event.
Energy
? An unacceptably high percentage of people in Pacific SIDS do not have
access to modern energy supplies.
? Concrete actions must be taken to improve access to reliable, affordable
and environmentally sound energy supplies in PSIDS.
? Pacific SIDS, like all other SIDS, are heavily dependent on petroleum and
fossil fuels for meeting most of their energy needs. The dependence on a
single source of energy is extremely costly (up to 30-40% of national
budgets) and compounds Pacific SIDS mounting vulnerability to external
shocks outside of their control;
? Areas with the largest potential for economic growth, such as tourism,
fisheries, agriculture and forestry are highly dependant on fossil fuel
based technology throughout the entire value chain.
? While renewable energy has potential as an alternative source of energy
for Pacific SIDS, the implementation and maintenance costs are major
barriers, for which SIDS need dedicated international support.
? Consequently, security of energy supply for sustainable development is a
critical issue and Pacific SIDS priority energy areas must be addressed
urgently and comprehensively. Policy, technical and financial assistance is
required, to;
o Secure an affordable source of Petroleum products and to
effectively manage national strategic reserves against supply side
disruptions. [This covers possible subsidies from oil producing/oil
supplying nations]
o Overcome the efficiency and cost penalties imposed by the
diseconomies of isolation and the lack of economies of scale in the
distribution, storage and handling of petroleum products in the
Pacific.
o Overcome the high sunk cost implications of large scale renewable
energy projects that aim to displace fossil dependency in urban
centers.
o Increase the use and affordability of appropriate renewable energy
technologies for rural populations in particular for lighting, water
reticulation and health and school centers.
o Assist in the establishment, management and sustainable land
management practices for sources for Biofuel production. Two
examples, Vanuatu and Marshall Islands using coconut oil.
o Improve energy efficiency and conservation ? energy efficient
appliances and light bulbs
o Implement appropriate renewable energy technologies and systems
that are durable, sustainable, affordable and suitable for the islands
[appropriate technology transfer] ? referenced: energy and gender
and the rural areas
o Improve access to financing modalities (public and private) for the
increased establishment of renewable energy systems.
Stakeholders