International Parliamentary Forum on Renewable Energies, Bonn, June 2

At the invitation of the German Bundestag and with the support of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, an International Parliamentary Forum was held on June 2, at the "Waterworks" in Bonn, in the context of the International Conference for Renewable Energies (see programme as pdf; 150 KB). Opened by Bundestag Vice President Norbert Lammert (CDU/CSU), the forum was attended by more than 300 delegates from more than 70 countries and institutions (see list of participants as pdf; 230 KB). Chaired by MP Hermann Scheer (SPD), the forum focused on parliamentary initiatives aimed at promoting the use of renewable energies in industrial and developing countries, on North-South cooperation, as well as on joint initiatives by international institutions. Attending for the Bundestag were MP Peter Paziorek (co-chair, CDU/CSU), MP Michaele Hustedt (co-chair and keynote speaker, ALLIANCE 90/THE GREENS), MP Hans Josef Fell (keynote speaker, ALLIANCE 90/THE GREENS), as well as 25 further MPs. The rotating conference chair was also held by Muneaki Samejima (Japan), Francisco Encina Moriamez (Chile), and Tsebin Tchen (Australia).

During the forum developing countries urged others to help them develop their potentials by continuing to providing know-how as well as financial assistance. The conclusion was clearly drawn that in view of limited reserves and rising prices for traditional resources, renewable energies are, for many countries, the only the only feasible way of satisfying their energy needs. There was agreement that the share renewable energies account for in global energy supplies must be greatly increased in the years to come. Governments were asked to define minimum standards and fixed rates of increase. Parliamentarians from around the world expressed their support for the creation of an International Renewable Energy Agency (IREA). This organization is to promote international technology transfer. The parliamentarians agreed to view this forum as the beginning of a process of cooperation among parliaments and to continue it on a regular basis with a view to developing joint strategies. They underscored the importance of parliamentary initiatives in helping to create a breakthrough for renewable energies.

The resolution of the International Parliamentary Forum, "Renewable Energies - Challenge for the 21st Century" (as pdf; 120 KB), into which the drafting committee, chaired by Amin Mobarak (Egypt) (members as pdf; 60 KB), incorporated numerous amendments, was adopted by a large majority. The chair presented the conclusions of the forum in the ministerial segment, held the next day.