RABAT: The first Arab-India Energy Forum

RABAT: The first Arab-India Energy Forum

RABAT: The first edition of the Arab-India Energy Forum
(AIEF) was held in a virtual format on 8-9 June 2021 under the co-chairship of
India and the Kingdom of Morocco. The event was in implementation of the
Executive Programme of the Arab-India Cooperation Forum (AICF) and the decision
of the third meeting of the Senior Officials of India and the League of Arab
States (LAS) held virtually on 12 January 2021.

The inaugural session of the Forum was addressed by H. E. Shri R. K. Singh,
Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Power, New & Renewable Energy of
India; H. E. Mr. Aziz Rabbah, Minister of Energy, Mines and Environment of
Morocco; and H.E. Dr. Kamal Hasan Ali, Assistant Secretary General for Economic
Affairs of the LAS. The subsequent plenary sessions explored potential and
challenges of cooperation in the fields of energy transition, intra-regional
power trading, hydrocarbons and nuclear power generation. The panellists were
drawn from a wide range of public and private sector institutions from India
and LAS member states as also key regional organisations such as the
Organisation of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) and Arab Atomic
Energy Agency (AAEA).

The Forum witnessed exchange of knowledge, expertise and best practices in the
fields of energy efficiency programmes for different economic sectors,
accelerated development of new & renewable energy, fostering regional power
sharing arrangements, enhanced oil recovery, tight gas extraction, and safe
nuclear power generation etc. There was also discussion on respective national
regulatory policies governing these sectors, investment opportunities as well
as R&D and training collaboration possibilities.

The experts noted that even as India and several LAS member states strived to
transition towards clean and green energy economies, their reliance on
hydrocarbons will likely continue in the near future.

In conclusion, the participants conveyed their sincere appreciation to the two
Ministers for their co-chairship and gracious patronage of the Forum, and also
thanked the General Secretariat of the LAS for their excellent coordination in
putting together a substantive programme.

They agreed to convene the second edition of the AIEF in India during the year
2023.

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