Bangkok Statement on Biofuel:
30 - 31 August 2004, Bangkok, Thailand Challenges for Asian Future 1. We, delegates from Brazil, Cambodia, the People's Republic of China, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam gathered in Bangkok on 30-31 August 2004 for the "Biofuel Conference: Challenges for Asian Future". 2. Our discussions were held against the backdrop of the continuing rise in global oil prices and the increasing potential threat of this situation to regional and global economic growth and sustainable development. While we welcome efforts by oil producers to address rising oil prices through increasing supply, as consuming nations, we also recognize that there is scope for strong cooperation on our part. We come together bound by goodwill and the determination that, from this challenging situation, positive cooperation can emerge with regional and global benefits. 3. We all believe in sustainable development and are fully cognizant of the finite nature of the world's fossil resources. In order to secure the world's future and our own economic, social and environmental objectives, energy security is a necessity. In this context, alternative fuel sources offer a viable solution to attaining adequate, reliable, affordable, and economically viable energy. We believe that biofuels can be a viable energy solution complemented by energy conservation, improvements in energy efficiency, expanding energy choices, technical innovation and preserving the environment. 4. Our complementary strengths in agricultural production and know-how of raw materials for biofuels, the automotive industry and energy technology, together with the policy need to sustain incomes in the agricultural sector and reduce foreign exchange loss through the importation of oil, are all factors that contribute to the immense potential for mutually beneficial cooperation in biofuels. 5. To promote cooperation in this field, the following areas for further cooperation have been identified among especially interested parties. 5.1 Facilitate investment, production and research into biofuels raw materials, renewable resources, to sustain biofuels as a viable alternative fuel source and provide a stable source of income for the region's farmers. 5.2 Share research and development, technical know-how and experiences in the different aspects of the biofuels' cycle, including harvesting raw materials; fuel extraction; fuel standards, automotive technology; efficient distribution; promotion for public acceptance and other lessons learnt. 5.3 Embark on public outreach to build acceptance and promote the use of biofuels in the public and private sectors to improve their everyday lives, the environment and the world's well being. 5.4 Initiate dialogues with policy makers, legislators, research and development agencies, financial and banking institutions along with automotive and related industry to promote the use of biofuels in transportation sectors. 6. We see the role of the United Nations and its specialized agencies together with the international financial organizations, and the relevant regional organizations in promoting our vision for biofuels. Our vision complements the goals and objectives set forth at the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development and it is in line with the Ministerial Deliberations during the International Conference on Renewables 2004 in Bonn, Germany. 7. At the regional level, the 6th Meeting of APEC Energy Ministers held in Manila, the Philippines on 10 June 2004 called for accelerated cooperation on the development of alternative transportation fuels. The ASEAN, China, Japan, and Korea Energy Ministers Meeting held in Manila on 9 June 2004 agreed to encourage the development and wider use of renewable energy for energy security. Ministers also committed to forge closer cooperation in promoting and commercializing renewable energy in our energy markets depending on each country's circumstances. 8. We collectively thank Thailand for bringing us together in Bangkok to sow the seeds of our cooperation in the area of biofuels. Biofuels offers a viable alternative energy choice not only for Asia, but also the world beyond. We look forward to realizing concrete programmes of action amongst us, thus making our vision a reality. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Make a clean sweep of pop-up ads. Yahoo! Companion Toolbar. Now with Pop-Up Blocker. Get it for free! http://us.click.yahoo.com/L5YrjA/eSIIAA/yQLSAA/FGYolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Biofuels list archives: http://infoarchive.net/sgroup/biofuel/ Please do NOT send Unsubscribe messages to the list address. To unsubscribe, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! 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