On 9 June 2015, the Strategy Group met for the first time after the successful adoption of the International Energy Charter in May. Contracting Parties welcomed the new observers present in the meeting (Bangladesh, Benin, Burundi, Chad, Colombia, Niger, Tanzania, Uganda…), who expressed their strong interest in strengthening cooperation and their involvement with the Energy Charter. The EU External Action Service also sated the full support towards the geographical expansion of the Energy Charter.
Energy Charter Fellow Dr. Yufeng Yang (Energy Research Institute, National Development and Reform Commission, China) presented his research on the relevance of the Energy Charter for world energy architecture and for China’s Silk Road Economic Belt (One Belt, One Road Strategy). His presentation was supported by the Chinese delegation who reinforced its strong commitment towards the Energy Charter.
Energy Charter Secondee, Mr. Salifou Gado (from the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum of Niger), and Energy Charter Intern, Ms. Elisiana Malle (Tanzanian Researcher at Dundee University), gave an overall presentation on the energy sectors in Niger and Tanzania, and illustrated the benefits and relevance of the Energy Charter for their countries as well as for their regions. The discussion that followed, involving other Sub-Saharan countries showed the important role of the International Energy Charter for promoting access to energy in the region, which is the main initiative of the Turkish presidency of the G20, as well as for attracting foreign investment. Turkey fully supported the involvement of the Energy Charter in the region and in the G20 initiative.
Finally, the Secretary General addressed the delegates to explain his proposals for further modernisation of the Energy Charter Process involving the new observers and the link with the current review of the Consolidation/Expansion/Outreach (CONEXO) Policy. There was overall support to the Strategic Objective of global expansion of the Energy Charter as contained in the Astana Declaration approved last year. Latin America and Africa are important new partners that have shown strong interest in the investment and transit protection provisions of the Energy Charter Treaty.