December
08, 2011
Address
by His Excellency Ali bin Ibrahim Al-Naimi
Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources
Saudi Arabia
Conference of the Parties to the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change at its 17th Session
(COP17)
Durban, South Africa
8 December 2011
Thank
you, Madame President
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen
On
behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz,
I would like to convey to you the greetings and express the appreciation of the
people and Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the warm welcome we
received in South Africa, and in particular by His Excellency the president.
Madame
President
This
conference is going through a crucial stage leading up to the adoption of a way
forward that will pave the way forward for the period after 2012, and addresses
climate change mitigation and adaptation, both within the framework of
long-term cooperation action under the Framework Convention on Climate Change
or through the adoption of commitments under the second commitment period of
the Kyoto Protocol. The two tracks should progress at the same pace.
Madame
President
The
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been involved and participates actively in the
negotiations to reach an agreed outcome that takes into account the interests
of all Parties and in particular our developing country Parties, in a framework
of fairness, balance and comprehensiveness, contributing to positive growth of
the global economy. We would like to confirm our commitment to shoulder our
fair share in addressing climate change in the context of joint international
efforts. We believe that any agreed outcome to be adopted at the end of this
conference should be inclusive and transparent and must take into consideration
the following elements:
First:
The outcome should contain a decision that defines the commitments of Annex I
Parties for the second commitment Period of the Kyoto Protocol;
Second:
It is difficult for us as Parties to accept any re~ negotiation on the
principles of the Convention, especially the principle of common but
differentiated responsibilities between developed and developing countries and
the differentiation of commitments for each side, as stipulated in the Bali
Action Plan;
Third:
We also find it difficult to accept the introduction of commitments, explicit
or implicit, on developing countries. Any measures adopted by these countries
shall be voluntary and non-binding;
Fourth:
It is very important for our petroleum exporting countries that the decisions
of this conference include a clear decision to operationalize the decision of
the last Conference of the Parties regarding inclusion of carbon capture and
storage (CCS) projects in the Clean Development Mechanism;
Fifth:
With regard to the decision on climate change response measure, it needs to
include not only minimizing the adverse impacts of these measure on our
developing countries, but also measures that would assist us in adaptation by
diversifying our economies through increased investment and transfer of
technology.
Sixth:
We would like to stress the need for developed countries to meet their
financial obligations, as stipulated in the framework convention on climate
change, with public financing being the main source. We will not accept any
financial commitments, direct or indirect, on developing countries.
Madame
President,
Energy
is the key to economic development for all States. It is therefore necessary
for the outcome to lead to the creation of a sort of positive effect on global
energy markets. Therefore, under an international system of mutual
interdependence, we expect the outcome to discourage the adoption of
protectionist trade policies that are disguised and biased against the various
types of fossil fuels, especially petroleum products.
Madame
President,
In line
with its stated objective to protect the environment and as an extension of its
role as a reliable energy supplier to power the world, Saudi Arabia, is
undertaking many initiatives to promote the use of technological alternatives
and to enact legislation to reduce emissions. Some of these initiatives can be
summarized through the following efforts:
1 - The
Kingdom has succeeded in using associated and natural gas in the industrial,
electricity generation and seawater desalination sectors.
2 - The
Kingdom has established King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy, to
realize the vision of King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz by entering into widespread
use of renewable energy sources, mainly solar energy. The establishment of King
Abdullah University of Science and Technology, complete with research centers
for solar energy and cleaner fuels, is an important step in this direction. In
addition, the Kingdom has established The King Abdullah Center for Energy
Efficiency, to reduce energy consumption. In this regard, we would like
to announce the launching of the world's largest solar-powered seawater
desalination plant in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
In
conclusion, Madame President, we would like to note that we will continue our
efforts to achieve economic diversification and reduce our absolute dependence
on the export of crude oil, and we need greater cooperation from the
international community, through increased foreign investment and transfer of
technology. These are essential means to minimize the potential negative
impacts of policies to address climate change on petroleum producing countries.
I wish
this conference all the success.
Thank
you, Madame President
