Addis Ababa,17th September 2017: The African Union Commission (AUC) was represented by H.E Dr. Amani Abou-Zeid at the High Level Conference convened by the Global Geothermal Alliance (GGA) in Florence, Italy on 11th September 2017 under the theme “Working Together to Promote Geothermal Energy Towards a Sustainable Energy Future”. The objective of the High Level Conference was Strengthening Institutional and Human Capacities to Accelerate the Uptake of Geothermal Energy.

The Conference adopted the ‘Florence Declaration’ in which the Governments committed to work closely to accelerate the development of geothermal energy in order to unlock more than 200GW estimated geothermal potential globally. The Florence Declaration endorsed the implementation of the Global Geothermal Alliance’s Action Plan, which covers: (1) Resource and Market Assessment; (2) Needs and Obstacles Assessment; (3) Enabling Frameworks; and (4) Global Network Development; with the aim to promote geothermal energy as part of a sustainable energy future.

In her statement at the conference, H.E. Dr. Abou-Zeid hailed geothermal energy as an excellent alternative to conventional energy systems, especially in an increasingly carbon-constrained global policy environment. She highlighted the efforts of the AUC under the Geothermal Development Programme and the Geothermal Risk Mitigation Facility (GRMF), which has so far supported 26 projects with a total of 1500MW with over US$ 59 million grants to public and private sector developers.

On the side lines of the conference, the Commissioner met various dignitaries including the Director General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Mr. Adnan. Z. Amin. They underscored the need for AUC and IRENA to work together and agreed to establish an agenda of collaboration. They recognized the importance of the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) and the need of incorporating IRENA’s Clean Energy Corridors approach when implementing the PIDA programme. The DG invited the AUC to take part in IRENA’s events at the upcoming COP 23 and further extended an invitation to the Commissioner to attend the IRENA Assembly.

For further information contact
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia
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