Energy Charter News

Participation in an event with the Mission of Uzbekistan

Wed, 05 May 2021 22:59:00 +0200

Energy Charter Secretariat participated in a hybrid event jointly organized by the Mission of Uzbekistan to the EU and the ECS on “Fostering ground breaking European investment in Uzbekistan as a means of powering economic growth and creating jobs galore”

Investor-State Mediation Online Workshop for State Officials

Tue, 13 Apr 2021 16:21:00 +0200

There is increasing interest in the potential for mediation to resolve Investor-State disputes. Following the success of the joint training for investor-State mediators (running since 2017), the International Energy Charter, the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), and the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) have jointly designed a workshop specifically focused on the State representative’s role in an investor-State mediation and /or solving investors grievances.

Comment: Quo Vadis Energy Charter Treaty?

Tue, 13 Apr 2021 13:09:23 +0200

The Energy Charter Treaty is one of the most intriguing pieces of international public law. Signed in 1994 the ECT is a facilitator of international energy cooperation from the Pacific to the Atlantic right across the Eurasian landmass.

Statement by the International Energy Charter Industry Advisory Panel

Tue, 06 Apr 2021 12:05:43 +0200

The members of the Industry Advisory Panel (IAP), the expert consultative body to the Energy Charter Conference, welcome the progress and outcomes of the Fourth Negotiation Round on the Modernisation of the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT). The IAP remains conscious and aware of the value of Energy Charter Treaty, while fully supports the modernisation process.

Energy Charter Secretariat contributes to the European Union Visitors Programme (EUVP)

Tue, 06 Apr 2021 09:04:17 +0200

On Monday 29 March 2021 the Energy Charter Secretariat participated in the European Union Visitors Programme (EUVP). The programme aims to offer visiting experts from a range of targeted countries access to first-hand information about the EU, including its founding values, the way if functions, as well as some of its core activities, policies and perspectives.

Dr Urban Rusnák, the Secretary General of the Energy Charter Secretariat, has officially communicated the Secretariat's proposals to assist COP 26 goals under the Presidency of the UK

Wed, 31 Mar 2021 14:04:22 +0200

"Today we have much experience of the Treaty's application that can predominantly facilitate the implementation of the UK's four goals for COP26" wrote Dr Rusnák in his letter to Prime Minister Johnson and COP26 President Sharma. In his proposal, the Secretary General explained that over the last 23 years, the ECT has efficiently fulfilled its functions related to the facilitation and protection of energy-related foreign investments, access to technology and capital.

The Energy Charter Secretariat congratulates Mr Ilkhom Nimatullaev on the successful completion of his secondment programme

Thu, 25 Mar 2021 13:55:59 +0100

The Energy Charter Secretariat congratulates Mr Ilkhom Nimatullaev on the successful completion of his secondment programme. Despite the restrictions and general uncertainties dictated by the COVID-19 situation, Mr Nimatullayev has successfully completed all planned activities and provided invaluable input to the development of the Draft In-Depth Energy Efficiency Review of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The Secretariat wishes Mr Nimatullayev a safe return to his home country and energy, persistence, and determination in achieving the long-term Green Economy Goals of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Secretariat contributes to the workshop on “Governing the Energy Transition” organized by King’s College, London

Tue, 23 Mar 2021 15:11:37 +0100

On 19 March 2021, the Secretariat contributed to the knowledge exchange workshop “Governing the Energy Transition” that brought together academia, experts and policymakers. The initial workshop was planned to be organized as a joint event by the Energy Charter Secretariat and the King’s College in Brussels back in 2020, but due to pandemics, the event took place virtually. The goal of the workshop was to share and exchange new ideas on the legal framework of Energy Transition. The Secretariat was represented by the Secretary General and the Head of Energy Efficiency Unit.

Energy Charter Secretariat contributes to the Annual Day of International Law in Africa

Mon, 08 Mar 2021 14:19:25 +0100

The Secretariat has been invited to contribute to the annual day of international law in Africa organised by the African Academy for International Law Practice and law firm GIDE Loyrette Nouel. The main topic of the colloquium was the challenges of the environmental law in Africa, while the Secretariat was invited to intervene in the Panel focused on the legal framework for achieving objectives of sustainable development.

Public Communication on the fourth negotiation round of the Modernisation of the ECT - Публичное сообщение четвёртого раунда переговоров по модернизации ДЭХ

Fri, 05 Mar 2021 13:45:52 +0100

From 2-5 March 2021, the Fourth Negotiation Round on the modernisation of the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) was held by videoconference1. All parties present engaged in fruitful discussions on all topics covered.

14th summit of Economic Cooperation Organisation

Fri, 05 Mar 2021 07:49:34 +0100

Upon the invitation of HE Mr Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the President of Turkey, Secretary-General Dr Urban Rusnak, participated today at the virtual summit of the ECO. Leaders of ten ECO member states focused their attention on the Regional Economic Cooperation in the Aftermath of the COVID-19.

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