APEC Energy Ministers to Focus on Energy Security, Sustainability

The eighth meeting of APEC Energy Ministers, to be held in Darwin next week, will be an important opportunity for the regions' economies to focus on the key challenges of energy security and sustainability, the Chair of the meeting and Australia's Industry Minister, Hon. Ian Macfarlane MP, said today.

"APEC economies account for 60 per cent of the world's energy demand so this will be a crucial forum to discuss how we can work together to secure our energy long term," Mr. Macfarlane said.

"It is also an important opportunity for us to address environmental concerns and promote clean and efficient energy production and use.

"APEC will also be an opportunity work with economies in the region to improve the operation of energy markets, address impediments to energy investment and trade, and promote energy diversity and energy efficiency."

The eighth APEC Energy Ministers' Meeting will run from 27-30 May, with the theme of the meeting 'Achieving Energy Security and Sustainable Development through Efficiency, Conservation and Diversity'.

In addition to Ministerial meeting, a one-day Energy Business Forum will be held to provide an opportunity business and government representatives to discuss critical issues relating to energy policy development.

As the host of the eighth Energy Ministers' Meeting, Australia is the world's largest coal exporter, the world's second largest uranium exporter and a major gas exporter.

APEC is also home to the world's three largest energy producers and consumers - the United States, the People's Republic of China, and the Russian Federation.