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Future shape of the Energy Charter discussed at Observer and Outreach countries meeting

A total of thirty-five participants representing twenty-eight countries attended the Observer and Outreach Countries Meeting, which was held at the Secretariat office in Brussels on 10 October 2013. The Secretariat introduced recent developments in the Energy Charter Process and its modernisation, including the updating of the Energy Charter so as to better reflect global energy dynamics.

The roundtable discussion allowed Energy Charter members, observers and other stakeholders to share some of their concerns regarding the global energy sector and their views on the future shape of the Energy Charter.

Morocco and Indonesia expressed support to the Charter modernisation and expansion process and reiterated their interest in a greater focus on investment promotion in addition to investment protection. Participants called for more concrete follow-up on the progress of countries, which have undergone Energy Charter investment reviews. They also expressed a strong interest in the promotion of alternative energy sources, renewable energy activities related to new energy trends, such as shale gas development.

There were contributions to the discussion from Algeria, Lebanon, South Sudan, Nigeria, Turkey and the European Union which demonstrated support for greater cooperation and involvement in the Energy Charter Process. Myanmar, Sri Lanka and South Sudan requested more information from the Secretariat on how to engage further with the Energy Charter.