25/11/16 Attendance at the 27th Meeting of the Energy Charter Conference and the Ministerial Meeting

November 25, 2016: His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Sayed Mohammad Amin Fatimie had the pleasure of attending the reception in honor of the 27th Meeting of Energy Charter Conference hosted by H.E. Foreign Minister Mr. Fumio Kishida, and Chaired by Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs H.E. Mr. Kentaro Sonoura at Iikura House. Also in attendance, representing the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan was H.E. Mr. Ali Ahmad Osmani, Minister of Energy and Water.

The Energy Charter Conference is the governing and decision-making body for the Energy Charter Process, and was established by the 1994 Energy Charter Treaty. The conference is held annually to discuss how the Energy Charter Process can address major global energy challenges, including responding to climate change and sustainable development. Japan became the first country from East Asia to chair the meeting of the Energy Charter Conference. The event was fortunate to have keynote speakers Dr. Urban Rusnák and Dr. Sun Xiansheng, both Secretary Generals of the International Energy Charter, speaking at the event.

At the event, H.E. Mr. Ali Ahmad Osmani had the opportunity to give his remarks to all those present. He expressed his thanks for his invitation to the meeting as well to Japan for its cooperation and generous support for Afghanistan which has been so crucial for development. He mentioned that Afghanistan is building its energy sector to help provide the back bone for its socio-economic development as yet there is a gap between the supply and demand which poses serious challenges to energy security for the people. He also stated that the Energy Charter is the best platform for the issues regarding energy in Afghanistan.

Following the remarks and discussions, T.E. Dr. Fatimie and Mr. Osmani had the pleasure of meeting with the event host, H.E. Foreign Minister Mr. Kishida and . H.E. Dr. Fatimie thanked him for the invitation to the event as well as for the continuous generous support of the people and Government of Japan to Afghanistan over the past 15 years to help ensure redevelopment, peace, stability, and prosperity. In return H.E. Mr. Kishida thanked him for his kind words, attendance and reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to Afghanistan in the future.

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