Energy Charter News

Energy Charter Conference priorities on 2021 discussed with the Armenian Chairmanship

Thu, 25 Feb 2021 10:54:08 +0100

On 23 February 2021, during a working meeting of the Armenian Chairmanship 2021 and the Energy Charter Secretariat HE Ms Anna Aghadjanian, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia, was updated by Dr Urban Rusnák, the Secretary-General of the International Energy Charter on implementation of the Program of Work priorities and other current issues. In the light of the upcoming round of negotiation of the Energy Charter Treaty modernisation Secretary-General Rusnák expressed his satisfaction with the strong commitment of participating delegations to achieve a positive outcome in the shortest possible time.

Energy Charter Secretariat and ICSID Conclude Cooperation Agreement

Fri, 12 Feb 2021 14:29:00 +0100

The Energy Charter Secretariat and ICSID are pleased to announce that they have entered into an Agreement on General Arrangements. The agreement was signed on behalf of ECS by Urban Rusnák, Secretary General of the Energy Charter Secretariat, and on behalf of ICSID by Meg Kinnear, Secretary-General of ICSID .

Armenia assumes the Chairmanship of the Energy Charter Conference for 2021

Mon, 04 Jan 2021 11:14:56 +0100

As of 1 January 2021, Armenia assumed the Chairmanship of the Energy Charter Conference for one year. The Conference works on an annually rotating basis, and each year a new country takes over leadership to direct the highest decision-making body of the Energy Charter process. The International Energy Charter would like to welcome the new Energy Charter Conference Chair, Mr Suren Papikyan, Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of the Republic of Armenia who was nominated by the Armenian Government. The Government also nominated the current Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, Mr Hakob Vardanyan, to serve as Vice Chair. Both Chair and Vice Chair were approved on 16 December 2020 by the Conference. Heeding rapid developments in the energy world and defined priorities, Armenia has expressed interest in promoting the energy transition and creating pathways for fostering a climate-neutral energy industry, in line with the commitments to Paris Agreement. The priorities for Armenia in 2021 are aimed at facilitating free and diversified energy markets, promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency, strengthening policies for sustainable development, improving energy integration and ensuring reliable, innovative, digitised and affordable energy supplies. These topics will be the focus for the 32nd Ministerial Meeting of the Energy Charter Conference to be held in Yerevan on 14-15 December 2021. Under the Chairmanship, Armenia will also host the International Energy Charter Forum in 2021.

International Energy Charter is welcomed by high-level Armenian officials

Mon, 04 Jan 2021 11:04:12 +0100

On 16 December 2020, Dr Urban Rusnák, the Secretary-General of the International Energy Charter met with the delegation of high-level officials of the Republic of Armenia led by HE Mr Ara Aivazian, Minister of Foreign Affairs. Mr Hakob Vardanyan, Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure and HE Ms Anna Aghadjanian, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to the Kingdom of Belgium participated in the meeting. The parties addressed the practicalities of Armenia’s upcoming Chairmanship of the Energy Charter Conference in 2021. HE Minister Aivazian was briefed on the modalities of the 2021 Chairmanship, the division of responsibilities and expectations. The discussion also touched upon priorities of the Armenian Chairmanship in 2021.

Industry Advisory Panel holds its 44th meeting

Tue, 22 Dec 2020 15:00:51 +0100

On 21 December 2020, the International Energy Charter Industry Advisory Panel (IAP) held its 44th Session. The event, which took place virtually through Zoom, was hosted by SOCAR and was attended by the Panel members, representatives of energy companies and associations. The meeting participants were welcomed by Dr Urban Rusnák, the Secretary-General of the International Energy Charter, Murad Heydarov, Advisor to SOCAR President and CEO of SOCAR Balkans, and Rafael Cayuela, IAP Chair and Corporate Chief Economist and Strategy Director, Dow. The meeting was divided into two sessions. The first part of the meeting was dedicated to the IAP internal procedures, joint message by the former and current IAP Chairs, the programme of work for 2021, and Energy Investment Risk Assessment (EIRA) report. The Second, thematic session focused on the role of natural gas as a transition fuel. The interventions addressed important topics, such as the energy transition of SOCAR, opportunities and perspectives for gas and hydrogen transit through the Southern Gas Corridor, and the ECT modernisation process. Both sessions included discussions among the panellists and participants of the meeting. The Industry Advisory Panel is the expert consultative body to the Energy Charter Conference, providing policy advice from energy companies, international business associations and financial institutions on energy investment and the functioning of energy markets. The Panel includes members from all sectors of the energy industry and from a wide range of Member and Observer countries to the Energy Charter Treaty.

Energy Charter Award 2020

Fri, 18 Dec 2020 17:50:28 +0100

At the Ministerial Session of the 31st Meeting of the Energy Charter Conference, the Vice-Chair has delivered the Energy Charter Award for 2020. Ms Carmen Sofía Sanz Estébanez was voted this year to be the recipient of the Award. Ms Sanz Estébanez is currently working as the Head of Cabinet of the Secretary of State for Environment at the Ministry of Ecological Transition in Madrid. Ms Sanz Estébanez has been the personality inseparable from the Energy Charter Process since 2012 when she was appointed as a Spanish delegate. She was since participating at all Energy Charter Conferences and most of its Subsidiary Group Meetings. Through her genuine professionalism, diplomatic skills and strong will she gradually became one of the most effective actors in the Energy Charter Process. Between 2015 and 2018 she was serving as the Vice-Chair and then until 2020 as the Chair of the Strategy Group, the Chair of the Subgroup for Modernization in 2018-2019 and the Chair of the Modernization Group in 2019-2020. Her profound personal contribution and involvement were based on the strong commitment of Spain to the modernization of the Energy Charter Treaty.

The 31st Meeting of Energy Charter Conference Held Under the Chairmanship of Azerbaijan

Thu, 17 Dec 2020 17:19:00 +0100

On 16 and 17 December, more than thirty Contracting Parties to the Energy Charter Treaty have convened for the 31st Meeting of the Energy Charter Conference, the governing and decision-making body for the Energy Charter process. The Meeting of the Conference extended over two days starting with the Statutory Session primarily dedicated to the main priorities of the year: modernization of the Treaty and implementation of the Review 2019 conclusions. During this Session, the Contracting Parties noted the progress in these priorities reached in 2019 as was reported by the relevant Chairs of subsidiary groups. The principal outcome of the Contracting Parties' conclusions was the need of continuation of efforts aimed at reaching further milestones and eventual outcomes concerning the priorities in 2021. The Chairs of other subsidiary groups of the Conference delivered their respective reports summarizing the main achievements of the year related to strategy, implementation and budget. The Ministerial Session held on the second day of the Conference was concerned this year with energy efficiency. High-level speakers at the Session representing member countries included Their Excellencies Minister of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan Mr Nurlan Nogayev. State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Mr Eiichiro Washio, Vice-Minister of Energy of Mongolia Mr Bayarmagnai Myagmarsuren, and Mr Niculae Havrilet, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Economy, Energy and Business Environment of Romania. The Ministerial Session was also attended by international and regional organizations represented by Their Excellencies Mr Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, Secretary General of OPEC, Ambassador Traian Chebeleu, Deputy Secretary General of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization, and Ambassador Huseyin Avni Bicakli, Deputy Secretary General of the Economic Cooperation Organization. Their practical interventions and remarks on the topic of the Session along with those made by delegations have further underlined the significance of concerted efforts towards greater energy sustainability, in particular in light of the ambitions of the ongoing Energy Charter Treaty modernization process. In the circumstances of the continuing limitations and restrictions globally, the Conference this year had to be held virtually. The Conference was chaired and moderated by His Excellency Mr Parviz Shahbazov, the Minister of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Mr Samir Valiyev, the Deputy Minister of Energy.

COGEN Europe becomes the 67th member of the Industry Advisory Panel

Fri, 11 Dec 2020 11:59:10 +0100

On 8 December 2020, the International Energy Charter Industry Advisory Panel (IAP) welcomed COGEN Europe as its 67th member. COGEN Europe represents 13 national associations and 50 organisations in the entire value chain of the cogeneration industry. The vision of the organisation includes creation of a resilient, decentralised and carbon-neutral European energy system by 2050 with cogeneration as its backbone, empowering European citizens and industry to generate their own efficient, reliable and affordable clean heat and power locally. COGEN Europe's mission is to work with EU institutions and stakeholders to shape better policies and eliminate administrative, regulatory and market barriers to the broader use of cogeneration in Europe. The Industry Advisory Panel is the expert consultative body to the Energy Charter Conference, providing policy advice from energy companies, international business associations and financial institutions on energy investment and the functioning of energy markets. The Panel includes members from all sectors of the energy industry and from a wide range of Member and Observer countries to the Energy Charter Treaty.

Energy Investment Risk Assessment - EIRA 2020

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 20:30:30 +0100

The Energy Investment Risk Assessment (EIRA) is a publication of the Energy Charter Secretariat that evaluates specific risks to energy investment that can be mitigated through adjustments to policy, legal and regulatory frameworks. Download the 2020 version here or from the EIRA website at: eira.energycharter.org

Beijing Research Centre holds its annual meeting

Thu, 12 Nov 2020 16:23:01 +0100

On 12 November 2020, China Electricity Council (CEC)-International Energy Charter Joint Research Centre held its annual meeting via videoconference. The event brought together the members of the Steering Committee, Academic Board, representatives of CEC along with its member organisations and the Energy Charter Secretariat. Vice-President and Secretary General of CEC Mr. Yu Chongde and Secretary-General of the International Energy Charter Dr. Urban Rusnák opened the meeting by stressing the importance of continued cooperation despite the challenges related to COVID-19. Representatives of CEC and its member organisations presented the outcomes of two studies on “Electrification Development and Outlook in China” and “Development of Low-carbon Energy and the Mechanism of Market’. The presentations from the Energy Charter Secretariat on Energy Investment Risk Assessment (EIRA) and The Role of Cross-border and Regional Cooperation in the Energy Transition complemented the discussions. China Electricity Council and the International Energy Charter established Beijing Research Centre in 2017 aiming to strengthen the relationship between the Energy Charter and China, promote awareness on international energy cooperation, share knowledge through research and joint activities as well as to facilitate capacity building.

OPEC Secretariat hosts presentation on frameworks for energy investment

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 10:17:15 +0100

On 9 November 2020, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) invited the Energy Charter Secretariat to present the third edition of its flagship publication, the Energy Investment Risk Assessment (EIRA). The EIRA report aims to assist policymakers in reducing policy, regulatory and legal risks to investments in the energy sector. Dr. Ayed S. Al-Qahtani, the Director, Research Division and Chairman of the Academic Committee, opened the session. Mr Leonardo Sempértegui, General Legal Counsel at OPEC, chaired the meeting, through the delegation of the OPEC Secretary-General. The presentation was attended by the OPEC Energy Studies Department, Petroleum Studies Department, Data Services Department and Environmental Matters. OPEC was established in 1960 as a permanent intergovernmental body. The mission of OPEC is to ensure the stabilisation of oil markets in order to secure an efficient, economic and regular supply of petroleum to consumers, a steady income to producers and a fair return on capital for those investing in the petroleum industry. Four of the thirteen OPEC member countries, namely Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, and the United Arab Emirates, have signed the International Energy Charter and are Observers to the Energy Charter Conference.

Public communication on the third negotiation round on the modernisation of the ECT / Публичное сообщение о третьем раунде переговоров по модернизации ДЭX

Fri, 06 Nov 2020 15:43:21 +0100

On 3-6 November 2020, the Third Negotiation Round on the modernisation of the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) was held by videoconference.[1] Taking into account the list of agreed topics for modernisation of the ECT (see Conference Decision CCDEC 2018 18) and the suggested policy options (see Conference Decision CCDEC 2019 08), during the Third Negotiation Round held by the Modernisation Group, the following topics were addressed: · Pre-investment; · REIO; · Obsolete provisions; · Remaining topics from the previous negotiation rounds. The Modernisation Group discussed the aforementioned topics on the basis of submissions and comments provided by the delegations before and during the negotiation round. The goal of this round was to explain and clarify the positions and find common ground for the discussion without prejudice to any delegation’s final decision. The discussion on ‘Pre-investment’ was based on a discussion paper as well as positions expressed by delegations during the meeting, taking into account that the current Energy Charter Treaty provides that Contracting Parties shall endeavor to provide non-discriminatory treatment to investors from other Contracting Parties in the making of investments. In connection with Regional Economic Integration Organisation (REIO), delegations considered whether it was necessary to clarify the legal relationship between members of a REIO under the ECT. Currently, one REIO – the European Union – is a member of the Energy Charter Conference. Some ECT Contracting Parties and Signatories are members of other REIOs. Further, the delegations addressed the potential ‘Obsolete provisions’ included in the policy options approved by the Conference in 2019 (CCDEC 2019 08), such as Article 32 on transitional arrangements, and requested the Secretariat to provide some text proposals. The Modernisation Group availed itself of the possibility to revert to the ‘Remaining topics from the previous negotiation rounds’ to seek clarifications on comments and proposals discussed during the first and the second round of negotiations. In particular, the Modernisation Group discussed the following topics: definition of investment, definition of investor, right to regulate, most constant protection and security, frivolous claims, third party funding, security for costs. The Group discussed the possible consolidation of proposals on, for example, the definition of investment and investor, most constant protection and security, and the right to regulate, as there appears to be common ground between the texts proposed. Some Contracting Parties expressed support for the textual proposals made by other delegations. One Contracting Party presented a proposal for a possible combined format of the texts tabled at previous rounds on the issues of frivolous claims, security for costs and third-party funding. The Group had an initial discussion on the possible future format of the negotiation texts. Different Contracting Parties welcomed this proposal as a possible basis for discussion at future rounds but indicated that they would need more time to review and assess it in detail, and pointed out that the format of future proposal should not be restricted. Some delegations who submitted text proposals signalled their willingness to discuss ahead of the next round the possibility to find a possible format on how to combine their respective text proposals on these issues. Finally, an initial discussion took place on the reporting to the Energy Charter Conference. The mandate for negotiations on modernisation of the ECT (point n of Conference Decision CCDEC2019 10) envisages that in December 2020 “the Conference should take stock of the progress made”. This year, the Energy Charter Conference will take place on 16-17 December 2020 under the Chairmanship of Azerbaijan. On 18 December 2020, the Modernisation Group will hold a meeting to consider and adopt the agenda for the negotiations to be held in 2021. [1] On 6 November 2019 (see Conference Decision CCDEC 2019 10), the Energy Charter Conference established and mandated the Modernisation Group to start negotiations on the modernisation of the Energy Charter Treaty, with a view to conclude negotiations expeditiously. The First Negotiation Round and the Second Negotiation Round on the Modernisation of the Energy Charter Treaty took place on 6-9 July and 8-11 September 2020 respectively. To download the English Version Скачать русскую версию

16th Regional Energy Cooperation Taskforce Meeting Takes Place

Tue, 03 Nov 2020 15:55:33 +0100

On 2 November 2020, the Energy Charter Secretariat and the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Uzbekistan acting as host and co-organizer this year, held in virtual fashion the 16th Meeting of the Taskforce on Regional Energy Cooperation in Central and South Asia. The Taskforce, established in 2007, has been meeting ever since on an annual or biannual basis, gathering power sector professionals from the region and discussing matters related to electricity production, its import and export along with related issues on transit, trade and regional cooperation. This year’s meeting has focused on its traditional objectives and new projects and initiatives in the power sector. Thirty participants representing national energy agencies and ministries as well as companies engaged in generation, transmission and distribution of electricity from five Central Asian states, Afghanistan, Mongolia and CIS Power Council , have listened to updates, reports and presentations covering the period spanning from the most recent RECA Taskforce meeting held in March 2019. The participants have decided to focus at the next meeting on the matters related to legal and technical aspects of growing introduction of renewables and interaction thereof with existing generating capacities and to continue focusing on the issues stemming from the transit of electricity in the context of further integration of power systems across regional borders.

The Use of Mediation in Investor State Disputes

Tue, 03 Nov 2020 14:43:12 +0100

A virtual pre-intersessional meeting for UNCITRAL Working Group III will be held on Monday 9 November 2020 to explore the use of mediation in ISDS. This virtual pre-intersessional meeting discuss (1) overcoming challenges to the use of mediation in ISDS, (2) the multi-tiered dispute resolution process, (3) the hybrid models for resolving international investment disputes, as well as (4) the way forward for mediation as a reform option for ISDS. You can find the agenda in this link. The Energy Charter Secretariat will explain the existing tools (such as the Guide on investment mediation and the model Instrument on Management of Investment Disputes) for promoting and facilitating the use of mediation for amicably solving investment disputes. The statement of the Secretariat on investment mediation and dispute prevention made at the last meeting of the WGIII of UNCITRAL can be found in this link. Date: 9 November 2020 (Monday) Time: 9:00 – 11:35 & 16:00 – 18:55 (GMT+8) Registration: https://events.aail.org/en/event/2020-UNCITRAL-WGIII/ Registration will close on 6 November 2020. Invitation link to the virtual pre-intersessional meeting will be sent to registered participants 24 hours prior to the event. For further details and the four background papers, please visit https://aail.org/uncitral-wgiii-virtual-pre-intersessional/

Energy transition is highlighted at the Baku International Energy Charter Forum

Wed, 28 Oct 2020 14:21:55 +0100

Transition to renewables in power generation, transport, heating and cooling: modern challenges and trends” was discussed at the Baku International Energy Charter Forum which was held on 28 October 2020 by the means of a videoconference. The Forum was jointly organized by the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Energy Charter Secretariat. Over 180 participants, including high-level government officials and leading experts from 40 countries, international organisations, energy companies, academia as well as mass media, took part in the event. The Forum participants were welcomed by the Chair of the Energy Charter Conference HE Parviz Shahbazov, Minister of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Dr. Urban Rusnák, the Secretary-General of the International Energy Charter, and Ms. Cristina Lobillo Borrero, Director of Energy Policy, Directorate-General for Energy of the European Commission. High-level officials from Albania, Romania, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Iran, Economic Cooperation Organization and the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation further elaborated on the common benefits of accelerating energy transition worldwide. The Forum addressed the topics of clean energy transition and sustainable energy in two main sessions. Reputable experts from Austria, Azerbaijan, Japan, IRENA, SolarPower Europe, Copenhagen Centre on Energy Efficiency and the International Energy Charter shared best practices and lessons learnt on integration of renewable energy sources and promotion of energy efficiency measures. The event was concluded by the remarks from the Vice-Chair of the Energy Charter Conference Mr. Samir Valiyev, Deputy Minister of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Fifth Investor - State Mediation Training

Thu, 22 Oct 2020 16:14:58 +0200

There is increasing interest in the potential for mediation to resolve Investor-State disputes. This 3-day interactive, practice-based Investor-State Mediator Training, designed jointly by the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR), the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), the International Mediation Institute (IMI) and the International Energy Charter, will cover the context of investor-State disputes within the ISDS landscape and will provide experienced mediators with knowledge and skills to mediate investment disputes including Stakeholder mapping and analysis, process design, co-mediation and intercultural considerations. For further information about the course click here for the course flyer. You can register here.

Second Joint OPEC-ECS-OPEC FUND Annual Legal Workshop

Fri, 16 Oct 2020 17:09:34 +0200

On 13 October 2020, OPEC, Energy Charter Secretariat and OPEC Fund jointly organized a legal workshop titled “Law of the Energy Transition”. This was the second joint event organized as a videoconference, following the very successful first workshop which took place in Vienna, Austria about a year ago. This year, the workshop focused on legal and regulatory aspects of energy transition and was composed of three principal sessions. The first session has dealt with legal and regulatory challenges and opportunities for fossil fuel businesses in the era of the energy transition followed by a session discussing the upcoming regulatory complexities and a forecast of the potential evolution of regulation in this field. The third, closing session witnessed the deliberations on strategies and actions, from the regulatory perspective, that could be embraced by international organizations to better support a successful energy transition for resource-rich countries. Seventeen speakers representing industry, prominent international law firms and think tanks, international organizations and academia, have delivered their presentations in an engaging and interactive fashion for a large audience and sparked very enthusiastic and insightful discussions and Q&A sessions. The workshop was technically hosted by the OPEC headquarters in Vienna.

International Energy Charter Secretary-General’s statement on Energy Security in the South Caucasus

Thu, 15 Oct 2020 10:09:00 +0200

The Secretary-General of the International Energy Charter is gravely concerned by the escalation of violence between the 2020 and 2021 Chairmanships of the Energy Charter Conference - Azerbaijan and Armenia respectively. He urges all parties involved to cease hostilities, to act in line with their international commitments and to refrain from any action that could affect critical energy infrastructure or significantly disrupt or interrupt the energy supply. The Secretary-General, Dr Urban Rusnak, stands ready to convene an Energy Security Contact Group urgently in case a signatory of the 1991 Energy Charter Declaration invokes the Early Warning Mechanism. The Energy Security Contact Group, if convened and engaged, would aim at facilitating communication and at elaborating a common evaluation of the situation and implications of current developments on energy security as well as recommendations (for consideration by the parties involved) to eliminate the threat to energy security or to overcome the emergency situation. _________________________________________________________________________________

Promoting integration of power markets in the ECO Region

Thu, 15 Oct 2020 10:00:46 +0200

On 14 October 2020, the Energy Charter Secretariat in cooperation with the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Secretariat organised a technical workshop on the topic of “Perspectives and Challenges of Regional Electricity Markets: Harnessing Trade and Investment Opportunities”. The event brought together over forty government officials and energy experts from eight ECO Member States, international and regional organisations. The objective of the workshop was to discuss international experiences on integration of power markets as well as the challenges and perspectives of developing ECO Regional Electricity Market (ECO REM). The representatives of the European Commission, Eurasian Economic Commission, World Bank and Asian Development Bank shared best practices and lessons learnt on power market integration and implementation of infrastructure projects. Experts from SAARC Energy Centre and CDC “Energiya” discussed current developments in the regions of Central and South Asia in terms of energy supply and demand, connectivity and electricity trade. The participants also discussed further steps on establishing ECO REM which offers multiple benefits to participating states in terms of energy security, resource complementarity and economies of scale.

Even more renewable energy investors rely on treaty protection: updated statistics of investment arbitration cases under the Energy Charter Treaty

Mon, 12 Oct 2020 17:27:00 +0200

Following the recent initiation of arbitral proceedings in Fin.Doc S.r.l. and others v. Romania and Encavis and others v. Italy, the total number of investment disputes under the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) that concern renewable energy sources is now 80 (approx. 60%). Majority of all investment disputes under the Treaty are brought by small or medium enterprises (approx. 60%). Information about the claims has been compiled on the basis of public sources, including specialised reporting services. Since 2001, when the first case invoking the ECT was registered, the Energy Charter Secretariat tracked 134 publicly known investment arbitration cases where the ECT was invoked (sometimes together with a bilateral investment treaty). The ECT remains the most frequently invoked international investment agreement. The Secretariat welcomes any additional information or clarification on specific cases at legalaffairs@encharter.org. Since 2013 the Energy Charter Secretariat has been actively promoting the use of good offices and mediation for the settlement of investment disputes under the ECT. In 2016, the Energy Charter Conference endorsed a Guide on Investment Mediation (prepared in cooperation with the International Mediation Institute, SCC, PCA, ICSID, ICC, and UNCITRAL) and encouraged Contracting Parties to consider to use mediation on voluntary basis as one of the options at any stage of the dispute to facilitate its amicable solution and to consider the good offices of the Energy Charter Secretariat. The Conference also welcomed the willingness of the Contracting Parties to facilitate effective enforcement in their Area of settlement agreements with foreign investors in accordance with the applicable law and the relevant domestic procedures. The same year 2016, the Secretariat established a Conflict Resolution Centre to provide assistance and support in connection with good offices and mediation in relation to investment disputes or to disputes between Contracting Parties regarding the interpretation or application of the Treaty. In 2018, the Energy Charter Conference approved the Model Instrument on Management of Investment Disputes together with its Explanatory Note. The Model Instrument could be used by States for implementing their own domestic framework or as a guidance in relation to legal and practical issues that need to be considered for an effective and comprehensive management of international investment disputes (including an effective use of negotiation, mediation and conciliation). Statistics - Cases under the Energy Charter Treaty - as of 9 October 2020