ADB Releases Draft Energy Strategy
Regional consultations planned during 60 day comment period
7 June 2007 | Washington, DC
The Asian Development Bank released a draft of its proposed Energy Strategy on May 28 for a sixty day comment period ending July 27, 2007. Civil society groups will engage with ADB but want to see more iterations of draft.
The Asian Development Bank released a consultation draft of its proposed new Energy Strategy on May 28, 2007. The draft is expected to replace the ADB Energy Policy (2000) and will be open for public comment for a 60-day period until July 27, 2007. Regional consultations involving government, private sector and civil society participants have been planned for the ADB's four regions starting with the Central and West Asia Consultation in Almaty on June 14, 2007.
The draft strategy paper requires the ADB to assist its member countries to meet energy security and help them transition to a low carbon economy. However, it fails to convey exactly how ADB investments will put such a transition into effect, nor does it clearly commit the institution to renewable energy projects. Additionally, many civil society groups have noted with concern the lack of mention of any transparency provisions in the draft Strategy. These and other considerations will be discussed in the coming days as civil society campaigners prepare comments on the draft Strategy and prepare to participate in the regional consultations, dates for which are given in the table below taken from ADB website.
For more information, please contact:
- Woochong Um, Director, Energy, Transport, and Water Division
Regional and Sustainable Development Department, ADB.
- Hemantha Withanage, Executive Director, NGO Forum on ADB.
- Mishka Zaman, Asia Program Manager, BIC.