Thank you Mr. Chairman,
Let me first congratulate you and the members of the bureau for your commendable work in
preparing the CSD-14. My delegation aligns itself with the statement made by the
distinguished representative of Austria on behalf of the European Union. However, I would
like to make some additional points.
Mr. Chairman, the World Summit on Sustainable Development was a benchmark event,
placing sustainable development at the forefront of the international agenda. The Summit
produced an ambitious Plan of Implementation. According to the Plan important
responsibility falls upon governments to reduce poverty through providing their citizens with
basic services.
As it was clearly stated in Secretary General?s report, persistent poverty in many parts of the
developing world, pockets of poverty in the developed world still remain a formidable
challenge for all of us. There is a progress but not enough. Considerable efforts at the global
level are required to meet JPOI goals to which Turkey is strongly committed.
Mr. Chairman, I would like to inform the members of the Commission that Turkey is one of
the countries which submitted its national report for CSD -14. Therefore, I will not go into
details as interested delegations could find more information in the said report. I will briefly
touch upon only few issues which we think important.
We strongly believe that energy for sustainable development, air pollution/atmosphere and
climate change are closely interlinked. Addressing all these three issues in an integrated
manner can provide an opportunity to utilize cleaner and more energy-efficient industrial
technologies as well as addressing the cross-cutting issues of poverty eradication, health and
gender equity.
The energy strategy of Turkey is multi-dimensional. The gap in Turkey?s energy supply and
demand is one of the key elements which determine its energy policies. Hence, Turkey
pursues policies to ensure diversified, reliable and cost-effective supply sources for its
growing energy need in order to mach its economic and social development while continuing
the process of liberalization of its energy market. Another aspect of this strategy is to become
a major consumption and transit terminal in its region. With its emerging and growing
economy Turkey is facing a gradual increase of its demand for energy by 8 % per annum.
Turkey, straddling the Caspian basin and Europe , forms a natural energy bridge between the
source-rich countries of the Caspian basin and the energy-demanding world markets. Due to
its geographical location and being the biggest energy importer of the area Turkey casts itself
as an energy hub in its region. As one of the biggest investors in the region and having close
historical, cultural and economic ties with the countries of the region, Turkey acts not only
along with its commercial interests but also bears the responsibility for supporting these
nations in their social and economic development.
Enhancing the overall economic efficiency of the energy sector has been one of the biggest
challenges for Turkey. In line with the ongoing harmonization process of the Turkish
legislation with the EU, a new legal framework was put into effect to end the state monopolies
and allow private sector participation in energy industries. The new Electricity Market Law
allows for the non-discriminatory access to electricity transmission and connection services
for all users. The same applies to natural gas and oil, as defined within the framework of
Natural Gas Market Law and Petroleum Market Law. The new market models are based on
cost-effective pricing so as to achieve competition in all segments.
Mr. Chairman,
Turkey strongly believes that development and wide-spread adoption of cleaner and
renewable energy technologies will help to reduce air pollution and advance sustainable
development at the global level. However, considerable efforts are still required to meet JPOI
target of substantially increasing the global share of renewable energy sources in the total
energy supply.
Turkey, in line with its JPOI commitments, enacted necessary legislation in the area of
renewable energy. The law on the utilization of Renewable Energy Sources for the Purpose of
Generating Electricity establishes support mechanisms and further incentives to encourage
investment such as through investment allowances and tax-exe mptions.
In this context I also would like mention the International Center for Hydrogen Energy
Technologies (ICHET) which was established in Istanbul to serve as a center of excellence on
hydrogen energy technologies related R&D. The Center is envisaged to play a vital role to
introduce into energy mix as a reliable and cost-effective source.
Let me now briefly touch upon hydropower as a renewable and clean energy sources.
Compared to other renewable energy sources hydropower, with zero level of emission and
greenhouse gasses, has proven to be much more reliable and productive. As the production of
hydro-power first and foremost requires the storage of water, dams and reservoirs remain a
critical component of power generation as well as irrigation, potable water storage, sanitation
and flood prevention.
Mr. Chairman,
We strongly believe that international community must further its efforts in addressing the
sustainable development challenges relating to the all three issues under review through
supporting the efforts of the developing countries particularly in the areas of capacity building
and financial assistance.
Thank you.
