Paris, France - 5 December 2019: H.E. Dr Amani Abou-Zeid, Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, attended from 3 to 5 December in Paris, France, the first meeting of the Global Commission for Urgent Action on Energy Efficiency, held back to back with the International Energy Agency (IEA) Ministerial Roundtable on Africa.

This high-level global Commission is composed of Ministers, top business executives and leading thought leaders from around the world with main target of examining ways and concrete actions to rapidly accelerate energy efficiency worldwide through innovative policy actions.

The focus of the inaugural meeting was mainly to identify policy success factors and ways to raise the profile of energy efficiency through securing political support.

“Governments need to take stronger policy action to reverse the worrying slowdown in global energy efficiency improvements, according to a public survey conducted by the International Energy Agency. The survey was carried out to inform the first meeting of the Global Commission for Urgent Action on Energy Efficiency.” said Dr Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency

Commission Abou-Zeid highlighted the need to raise the level of support among decision-makers and key stakeholders to give energy efficiency greater priority and profile. She emphasized the success factors in efficiency policy design and implementation across the world, the experiences and perspectives in Africa.

“I would like to share with you that the AU is making significant development on its policy, systems and programmes as relates to the energy sector. Amongst some of the development is the creation of the African Energy Information Systems (AEIS) collecting energy data statistics from all AU Member States and informing policymakers’ decisions in a collaborative manner. This work is executed by the African Energy Commission (AFREC), an AU organ.” added Dr Abou-Zeid

H.E. Commissioner also co-chaired the Africa Ministerial Roundtable along with H.E. Alessandra Todde, Secretary of State for Economic Development of Italy, under the theme “Energy for a continent of two billion: what opportunities for Africa and the world?”

The Roundtable brought together high-level stakeholders from governments, industry and other international organizations from Africa and around the world to assess energy challenges across Africa and explore opportunities for further engagement to achieve universal access to affordable, secure and sustainable energy.

“Our agenda as a Commission is to ensure the resources of the Continent benefit its citizens first. We must continue to engage and develop the right tools that will provide to Member States the opportunity to have access to energy database that can inform and improve decisions at all levels. » said Dr Abou-Zeid

She further stressed the experience of AFREC in energy data collection, statistics management and capacity building, and encouraged further coordination with local, regional and other international entities to support attainment of increased energy security towards accelerating clean energy transition across Africa.

Furthermore, H.E. Commissioner addressed the High-level resources mobilization roundtable for the development of the Union of Comoros organized under the auspices of H.E. President Azali Assoumani looking to raise 4.2 billion euros in loans and donations to help fund infrastructure and development projects under Plan Comores Emergent (“Plan for the Emerging Comoros”). The objective of this investment gathering was to share the vision of the country through an integrated and strategic development plan with all the development partners.

“The government of the Union of Comoros has identified the geothermal resources as one of the key sectors to promote and develop in order to meet its energy independence. The development of geothermal sector is an integral part of the strategic development plan for the country by 2030.” said H.E. Mr Houmed M'Saidie, Minister of Economy & energy, in charge of economic integration and tourism.

During this meeting, the Commissioner presented the AU’s vision for the development of the geothermal resources in Africa and seized this opportunity to sensitize key players and policymakers on the importance of creating a conducive environment to unlock the geothermal potential of the country.

H.E. Commissioner highlighted the crucial role AUC, through the Geothermal Risk Mitigation Facility (GRMF), is playing in the mitigation of risks associated with the development of geothermal resources in Comoros (in Khartala region) by funding geothermal projects. GRMF has awarded a total grant amount of 11.5 million USD to the Bureau Geologique des Comores.