Energy Charter News

The Chair of the Governance Group meets with Secretary-General Lentz

Wed, 18 May 2022 16:23:12 +0200

On 18 May 2022, the Chair of the Working Group on Governance Issues, Ms Klara Rakhmetova, met with the Secretary-General, Mr Guy Lentz. The meeting was held on the margins of the 13th Round of the modernisation negotiation of the Energy Charter Treaty in Brussels. At the beginning of the meeting, Ms Rakhmetova, on behalf of Kazakhstan, congratulated the Secretary-General on his appointment. During the meeting, partners discussed the most pressing issues of international cooperation in the energy sector and the modernisation of the Treaty, noting the importance and the necessity for a systematic and gradual transition to a low-carbon, sustainable green economy. Ms Rakhmetova, as the head of the Kazakh delegation, invited the Secretary-General to Kazakhstan in the autumn of this year to meet with high-level government officials and stakeholders, to present the results of the modernisation of the Treaty. The parties also agreed that a follow-up meeting should take place between the experts from the Ministry of Energy and the Secretariat to explore the potential extended EIRA study for Kazakhstan. Secretary-General expressed his appreciation and gratitude to Ms Rakhmetova for her significant and valuable contribution to the negotiation of the modernisation of the Treaty. The parties exchanged warm wishes and expressed their commitment to further fruitful cooperation.

Secretariat thanks seconded expert for the contribution to the year of the Mongolian Chairmanship 2022

Wed, 18 May 2022 10:14:27 +0200

Ms Delgerel Bayandelger, seconded expert from the Mongolian Ministry of Energy, successfully completed her secondment at the Energy Charter Secretariat. On behalf of the Secretariat, we express our gratitude for her contribution on the joint preparation of the International Energy Charter Forum, and for coordinating activities in connection with the Mongolian Chairmanship.

Deputy Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Meets with Secretary-General Lentz

Tue, 17 May 2022 13:58:51 +0200

On 16 May 2022, H.E. Mr. Vepa Khadjiyev, Deputy Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan, has paid a visit to the Energy Charter Secretariat and held a meeting with Secretary-General Guy Lentz. Using a rare opportunity and occasion of a visit of foreign official of such rank to the Secretariat, the parties held an engaging discussion, not least in view of the current geopolitical circumstances. The parties have discussed the issues related to the energy security, the changing Eurasian energy landscape, and the energy policy of Turkmenistan as one of the key exporters of natural gas in the region. The parties have also deliberated on the particulars of Turkmenistan’s cooperation with the Secretariat and participation of the former in some of the undertakings of interest such as the in-depth energy efficiency review and Energy Investment Risk Assessment publication. The meeting with the Deputy Foreign Minister took place as part of his official visit to Brussels.

The Ambassador of Bangladesh invites the Energy Charter Secretariat to the Eid and Bangladesh New Year festivities

Mon, 16 May 2022 08:52:28 +0200

On 14 May 2022, H.E. Mr. Mahbub Hassan Saleh, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to the Kingdom of Belgium, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and the European Union, hosted a get-together to celebrate Eid and Bangladesh’s New Year. The event, attended by Deputy Secretary-General Atsuko Hirose, provided an opportunity to strengthen ties between Bangladesh and the Energy Charter Secretariat.

Ukrainian Ambassador visits the Secretariat

Wed, 11 May 2022 17:25:33 +0200

On 11 May 2022, the Secretary-General of the Energy Charter Secretariat, Mr Guy Lentz, and the Deputy Secretary-General, Ms Atsuko Hirose, met with H.E. Mr. Vsevolod Chentsov, the Ambassador and the Head of the Mission of Ukraine to the European Union, and Ms Yelyzaveta Baienkova, the Second Secretary, at the Energy Charter Secretariat. The Ambassador conveyed the latest situation in Ukraine, in particular, the damages inflicted on the critical energy infrastructure as the result of the Russian aggression. The Secretary-General explained that the Secretariat will be working in close cooperation with the Ukrainian government and other international organisations in order to facilitate post-conflict investments towards restoration of the energy infrastructure in Ukraine.

Iranian Ambassador visits the Secretariat

Wed, 11 May 2022 15:00:16 +0200

On 11 May 2022, the Secretary-General of the Energy Charter Secretariat, Mr Guy Lentz, and the Deputy Secretary-General, Ms Atsuko Hirose, met with H.E. Mr. G. Hossein Dehghani, the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Kingdom of Belgium, the European Union and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, at the Energy Charter Secretariat. The Secretary-General explained to the Ambassador that the amendments to the Energy Charter Treaty were currently being negotiated, with a view to having the modernised Treaty approved at the Energy Charter Conference in November 2022. Iran, which is currently an Observer to the Treaty as from 2016, is a major player in the energy sphere. Ambassador Dehghani was therefore keen to know if the amended Treaty would facilitate investments in his domestic energy sector. Positive answer was given by the Secretary-General pointing out especially the renewable energy sector for which Iran has great potential. Both parties concluded to stay in close touch in the following months to see how to facilitate and strengthen partnership between them.

Secretary-General Lentz and Deputy Secretary-General Hirose meet the Ambassador of Mongolia to discuss the Extraordinary Energy Charter Conference

Wed, 11 May 2022 14:55:37 +0200

On 6 May 2022, the Secretary-General of the Energy Charter Secretariat, Mr Guy Lentz, and the Deputy Secretary-General, Ms Atsuko Hirose, met with H.E. Mr Luvsanvandan Bold, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia, and the Counsellor of the Embassy of Mongolia, Mr Manlajav Jambalsuren, at the Embassy. The Secretary-General and the Ambassador discussed the Extraordinary Energy Charter Conference scheduled to take place in Brussels on 24 June 2022. The Conference is being convened to approve the agreement in principle of the modernisation of the Energy Charter Treaty, which will be a historic occasion.

Secretary-General Lentz and Deputy Secretary-General Hirose meet the Ambassador of Uzbekistan and deliver a copy of the In-Depth Review of the Energy Efficiency Policy of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Tue, 03 May 2022 17:30:11 +0200

On 3 May 2022, the Secretary-General of the Energy Charter Secretariat, Mr Guy Lentz, and the Deputy Secretary-General, Ms Atsuko Hirose, met with H.E. Mr. Dilyor Khakimov, the Head of Mission of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the European Union, at the Embassy. The Secretary-General presented the Ambassador with a copy of the recently printed “In-Depth Review of the Energy Efficiency Policy of the Republic of Uzbekistan”, in both English and Russian versions. The Ambassador expressed his appreciation for the comprehensive study. The Ambassador and the Secretary General discussed the Uzbekistan Chairmanship of the Charter Conference in the year 2023, and the collaboration between Uzbekistan and the Secretariat, such as potential participation by the Secretariat in events planned in Tashkent this year.

Energy Efficiency Policies of Uzbekistan Reviewed

Fri, 29 Apr 2022 14:31:27 +0200

The Energy Charter Secretariat is pleased to announce that the English and Russian versions of the In-Depth Review of the Energy Efficiency Policy of the Republic of Uzbekistan is now available on our website. The In-Depth Review was conducted in 2021 by the Secretariat in cooperation with the Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan and the final recommendation of the report was approved by the Energy Charter Conference in December 2021.

Energy Charter Secretariat and IRENA discuss potential collaboration in ongoing projects

Wed, 27 Apr 2022 15:51:15 +0200

On 27 April 2022, the Energy Charter Secretariat (ECS) held an online meeting with the Regions Unit of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) to discuss synergies in work and engagement possibilities in ongoing projects. During the meeting, the ECS and IRENA explored points of cooperation on their respective upcoming publications, including the Energy Investment Risk Assessment (EIRA) 2022, the Joint Islamic Development Bank-ECS Special EIRA report and IRENA’s Renewable Readiness Assessment in the MENA region. It was agreed that a follow-up meeting should take place between the technical experts from the ECS and IRENA to discuss the modalities of this collaboration.

Statement of the Delegation of Ukraine on the Condition of Critical Energy Infrastructure

Tue, 26 Apr 2022 17:44:23 +0200

During the discussion at a meeting of a subsidiary committee of the Energy Charter Conference held today, the Delegation of Ukraine made a statement on the current situation in the country two months after the Russian invasion began, in particular, regarding its critical energy infrastructure as follows :

Public Communication on the Twelfth Negotiation Round of the Modernisation of the ECT / Публичное сообщение о двенадцатом раунде переговоров по модернизации ДЭХ

Fri, 22 Apr 2022 16:49:47 +0200

On 19-22 April 2022, the Twelfth Negotiation Round on the modernisation of the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) was held in the Energy Charter Secretariat in Brussels (supplemented with videoconference).

Statement of the Delegation of Ukraine during the 12th Round of Negotiations

Fri, 22 Apr 2022 16:21:07 +0200

The representative of the Ukrainian delegation informed the participants of the first meeting of the 12th round of negotiations about the ongoing military aggression of the Russia on the territory of Ukraine and the growing number of victims among the civilian population. Russian troops continue regular bombing of social infrastructure facilities (hospitals, schools, kindergartens, etc.), as well as energy infrastructure (factories, gas pipelines, etc.). A list was given of some of the infrastructure that was subject to bombing, which caused an interruption in the supply of energy resources, both domestically (at least 666,000 consumers cut off from electricity supplies, 265,000 consumers from natural gas supplies) and posing a threat to stability supplies of energy resources, which are transporting to Europe through the territory of Ukraine. The infrastructure of the city of Mariupol is completely destroyed in the city a humanitarian catastrophe. The situation can only be resolved with the intervention, support and mediation of third parties and the world community. The Russia continues regular rocket attacks and destruction of the infrastructure of the city of Kharkiv, the cities of Donbass region, as well as other regions of Ukraine, and also carries out provocative shelling of its own territory to support its actions among the population of the Russia. It is summarized that in opposing the military invasion of the Russia, Ukraine defense not only its territory, but the democratic values of Europe and the world, which gives hope to countries still dependent on the Russia to gain political and energy independence in future. Therefore, support by the countries of Ukraine in the war is a very important element and must be operational in order to effectively counter the expansion of the influence of the aggressive authoritarian regime of the Russia. Words of gratitude were expressed to the countries that systematically support Ukraine and provide assistance. A call was made for the need to continue providing military and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and increase its volume. The Energy Charter leadership, in turn, informed about the support for Ukraine and further steps to strengthen assistance.

Ambassador of Japan hosts informal working dinner for the delegates attending the Modernisation negotiation

Wed, 20 Apr 2022 09:51:55 +0200

On 19th April, H.E. Mr MASAKI Yasushi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the European Union, hosted an informal working dinner to conclude the first day of the 12th Round of Negotiations of the Modernisation of the Energy Charter Treaty. The dinner was attended by Secretary-General Guy Lentz, Deputy Secretary-General Atsuko Hirose, the Chair and Vice-Chairs of the Modernisation Group, as well the delegates who attended the negotiations in person.

Opening of the 12th Negotiation Round of the Modernisation of the Energy Charter Treaty in a "hybrid" format

Wed, 20 Apr 2022 08:58:05 +0200

The 12th Negotiation Round of the Modernisation of the Energy Charter Treaty started on Tuesday, 19 April 2022 and will continue until Friday, 22 April 2022. This is the first session held in a “hybrid” format since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, with over 70 delegates attending in person at the headquarters of the Energy Charter Secretariat.

Energy Charter Secretariat Contributes to Paris Arbitration Week

Tue, 05 Apr 2022 10:59:33 +0200

On 30 March, Mr Yuriy Pochtovyk, Junior Legal Officer, spoke at the panel “The Fair and Equitable Treatment Standard: Updates and Perspective” in the framework of the Sixth Edition of the Paris Arbitration Week. The panel was dedicated to the past and present of the fair and equitable treatment (FET) clauses in international investment agreements, drafting of the clauses, and arbitral jurisprudence on the application of the FET. A particular focus was made on the ongoing negotiations on the modernisation of the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT). Mr Pochtovyk discussed the current wording of the FET clause in Article 10(1) of the ECT, statistics on investor-state arbitral proceedings involving FET claims under the ECT, and the background of the modernisation process and the progress achieved so far. The Definition of FET is among the 25 topics approved for modernisation. Thus far, the topic has been discussed in seven rounds of negotiations. In the last round, the Modernisation Group decided to continue discussing the topic of FET together with the “Umbrella Clause”. The next round of negotiations is scheduled to take place on 19-22 April 2022. Paris Arbitration Week is an annual forum for legal practitioners from around the globe. The forum comprises of a multitude of conferences, practical workshops, debates, social events, and other activities on arbitration-related matters.

Meeting with the Ambassador of Turkmenistan at the Energy Charter Secretariat

Wed, 30 Mar 2022 14:53:17 +0200

On 29 March 2022, the Secretary-General Mr. Guy Lentz has received H.E. Mr. Chary Atayev, the Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Benelux and the EU who paid a visit to the Secretariat. The parties engaged in the discussion along several substantial areas, with a particular interest of Turkmenistan to some of them, including participation in the EIRA project, energy efficiency review, and continuation of the regional energy cooperation dialogue. Secretary-General Lentz has also briefed the Ambassador on the upcoming timeline and progress of the ECT modernisation process.

Secretary-General Lentz delivers a speech at the International Investment Forum in Turkmenistan

Wed, 30 Mar 2022 14:51:24 +0200

On 29 March 2022, Secretary-General of the Energy Charter Secretariat (ECS), Mr Guy Lentz, spoke at the Plenary Session on the Future of Energy of the 2022 Oil and Gas International Investment Forum in Turkmenistan. The Forum is a regular event attended by representatives of international companies and organizations active in the energy sector. The Secretary-General has touched upon and presented his vision on the most important current challenges of the international energy landscape and how to address them.

Energy Charter Secretariat contributes to the UN ESCAP capacity building activities in Northeast Asia

Wed, 30 Mar 2022 14:48:12 +0200

On 29 March 2022, the Energy Charter Secretariat's Knowledge Centre participated in the Capacity Building Needs Assessment for Effective Power Interconnection Cooperation in Northeast Asia Inception Meeting. The meeting was jointly organised by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP) and Greater Tumen Initiative (GTI). The meeting was attended by the members of the GTI Energy Board from China, Mongolia, the Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation and aimed to define the scope of the needs assessment and identify relevant stakeholders to promote energy cooperation and power interconnections. The Secretariat was invited to contribute to "Capacity requirements for effective power interconnection cooperation" by sharing the Energy Charter's expertise and experience in promoting regional energy cooperation and integrating power markets. In 2020 the Secretariat developed and delivered a training module on energy transit for the government officials of Mongolia to support UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific activities to strengthen sub-regional connectivity in East and North-East Asia through effective economic corridor management.

Nauryz Celebrations

Fri, 25 Mar 2022 15:08:20 +0100

On 24 March, the Secretary General, Mr Guy Lentz, was pleased to be invited by H.E. Mr. Margulan Baimukhan, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Kingdom of Belgium and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, for the Nauryz Celebrations. On this occasion, the parties exchanged on the key role of Kazakhstan in the Energy Charter and the way to still reinforce this good relationship.