Harare, 17 September {No. 96-162}- The World Solar Summit ended here today with the adoption of a declaration and a UNESCO-initiated campaign to boost research, education, public awareness and development in all fields of renewable energy.
Heads of state and government representing 18 nations and about 1,000 delegates from more than 100 countries today adopted by acclamation the Harare Declaration on Solar Energy and Sustainable Development and launched the World Solar Programme 1996-2005. This 10-year campaign includes an initial list of 300 energy projects in more than 60 countries. This programme further calls for a global information and communication network to promote training and research. It will highlight successful grassroots initiatives and advocate ecologically sustainable energy use.
President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, who hosted the two-day summit, called the adoption of the declaration and programme "a momentous decision." In his closing speech, he praised the delegates "for their unswerving support for this summit and the broader goals of the summit process."
The Harare Declaration calls on "all nations to join in the development and implementation of the World Solar Programme 1996-2005." It recognises cheap, clean renewable energy as essential in improving the quality of life and in creating income-generating activities. Delegates from developing and industrialised countries endorsed the statement and the programme. Prime Minister Adrien Houngbedji of Benin praised "UNESCO's role as an engine in a [solar summit] process that is an essential part of the struggle against poverty for a clean environment."
Emmet Stagg, president of the Council of Energy Ministers of the European Union, said the summit and the energy programme are vital "to address the barriers, and ensure the effective development of appropriate energy infrastructures for the future." Mr Stagg, who is also Ireland's transport, energy and communications minister, added, "I am happy to record that the Commission of the European Union and individual member states have recognised this in a tangible manner by providing direct assistance throughout this [solar summit] process."
The World Solar Summit already is producing new renewable energy initiatives. President Benjamin Mkapa of Tanzania announced that his country will set up an investment fund and tax incentives on both the use and production of solar energy systems. President Yasser Arafat of the Palestinian Authority announced the launch of a new initiative to build a solar energy power system, the largest renewable energy project in the Middle East. Charles Utete, Zimbabwe's Chief Secretary to the Cabinet, announced a US$38 million investment in three new projects, including one to revamp curricula ranging from primary to higher education to include the use and manufacture of solar technologies.
About 400 million homes do not have electricity, accounting for more than 40 percent of the world's population. Solar and other renewable energies are by far the cheapest way to generate electricity in rural and remote areas. Solar photovoltaic panels of all types typically last 15 to 30 years without maintenance and do not require skilled specialists to install or operate. The declaration defines solar energy to include wind, geothermal, hydro, biomass, ocean and other sources of renewable energy.
Paul Nielson, the Danish minister for development co-operation, said "the Harare Declaration will serve as an inspiration...to initiate a fully fledged programme and campaign of broad partnership and coalition of governments and institutions." He pledged "the full support and participation of the government of Denmark."
Japan also backed the renewable energy programme. Masaaki Ono, deputy director-general at the Economic Affairs Bureau of Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, called for a "new global partnership in which developing and developed countries share responsibility and co-operate for development." He described various renewable energy projects funded by Japan in 20 African countries.
Robert Priddle, executive director of the International Energy Agency, urged governments to remove political barriers that restrict the introduction of new forms of energy. "Those with the vision to liberalise energy markets and open up to outside investment could create exciting opportunities," he said. "New markets plus new technologies mean new industries - the energy industries of the 21st century."
The declaration recognises the benefits women can derive from renewable energy. Solar water pumps and electric generators could free rural women to devote more time to their education and children, said UNESCO Director-General Federico Mayor in his opening address Monday.
The statement also further affirms the need for policy reform and greater international co-operation in the context of "effective mechanisms that will speed up and facilitate the use of solar energy avoiding duplication and administrative delays."
Hashim A. Dabbas, Jordan's energy minister, stressed the importance of co-operation in building peace. "The peace agreements signed by Israel with Jordan, Egypt and the Palestinian Authority are concrete proof of the commitment to peace and co-operation in the fields of energy and other sectors for the mutual benefit of all parties involved," he said.
Many solar energy technologies have been displayed at the Harare International Conference Centre, where more than 1,000 delegates and representatives of industry and energy organizations gathered for the summit. They include demonstrations of solar cooked meals, refrigerators for food and vaccines, and electric generators used in rural schools and health clinics.