RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman called on the international community to take urgent action to eradicate energy poverty faced by more than one billion people worldwide.
During a dialogue session at the 14th Clean Energy Ministerial meeting and 8th Mission Innovation meeting in Goa, India, the minister emphasized that the issue of energy poverty is not only a practical challenge but also a moral imperative.
Energy poverty refers to the lack of access to modern energy services, and it affects a significant portion of the global population, depriving them of basic energy resources essential for daily living. Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman underscored the importance of addressing this pressing issue and providing the most vulnerable communities with access to essential energy services.
Saudi Arabia Leading Action Against Energy Poverty
Saudi Arabia has been at the forefront of advocating for action against energy poverty for over a decade. In 2007, the country raised awareness about the struggles faced by nations grappling with energy poverty, calling for collective efforts to combat this problem.
On the sidelines of the meeting, the minister also announced a cooperation agreement between Saudi Arabia and the Clean Energy Forum (CEM) and the Innovation Mission Initiative (MI). The agreement aims to address global energy, economic, and sustainability challenges through collaborative efforts.
During the event, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman and India’s Minister of Power and Renewable Energy, Raj Kumar Singh, co-chaired a roundtable meeting on Green and Low-Carbon Hydrogen, as well as a dialogue session on reducing emissions from all sources.
Saudi Arabia’s active participation in various international organizations and forums dedicated to climate change demonstrates its commitment to combating the effects of climate change and contributing to global efforts in reducing emissions. The Kingdom’s efforts include diversifying its energy mix, promoting clean technologies, and investing in both renewable energy and hydrocarbons. These initiatives reflect Saudi Arabia’s active role in addressing climate change on the international stage.
