51吃瓜

Excellencies, 
Colleagues, 
Ladies and gentlemen,

First, I wish to  thank the Permanent Mission of Barbados for your invitation to participate in this important event.

It is so important that we TOGETHER reflect on the role of oceans as a sustainable resource that can contribute to the global energy transition. This also is a key concern for our work in OHRLLS.

SIDS and oceans  are one. Islanders live in symbiosis with their oceans and lands.

The SAMOA Pathway prioritizes oceans and marine resources as one of the keys to their sustainable development.

The SIDS right now remain in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is not you I have to tell about the  severe socio-economic impacts and many other ramifications this crisis has triggered and will continue to trigger.

More than ever we must now look at the role of oceans in recovery and sustainable development. The responses and recovery plans must fully provide for opportunities for innovation and transformation in the energy sector in SIDS and that must include  developing ocean energy.

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As the saying goes, SIDS may be small but are vast ocean countries.

Oceans are the DNA of SIDS, they are the fundamental base upon which the economies and culture of many SIDS and coastal communities are built.

So, it is self-evident that they are central to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Harvesting ocean  energy is per se not new. I recall how in my own country, way back in the 80’s we tried to explore tidal energy.

Too much time has gone by since. It is urgent that we advance in exploring how ocean energy can turn into a viable  renewable source.

The potential is tremendous and it could  accelerate not just the deployment of renewable energy but help create jobs and build more resilient communities.

Their very geography, their extremely limited land resources have forced many SIDS to emerge  as frontrunners in the pursuit of energy transitions.

The costs of renewable energy have come down.

This is the opportunity for SIDS to revamp their energy strategies. This is the opportunity to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and investing in climate-resilient infrastructure.

Being vast ocean nations,  ocean energy is an attractive option for many SIDS and especially those with the smallest landmasses where other options such as land-based solar and wind are limited.

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

After an initial let me say “enthusiasm”  way back, sadly ocean energy is significantly behind other renewable sources in regard to technical maturity and economic viability.

An IRENA report on fostering a blue economy tellingly shows that ocean energy technologies remain in their developmental stages.

Most technologies are prototype and only some just reaching commercialization.

Some SIDS ever since the 80’s explore  tidal, wave and ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) technologies.

Some SIDS have tested innovative approaches such as floating solar systems.

These promising approaches will also trigger socio-economic benefits in SIDS.

To make this reality, we must invest in technology transfer and capacity-building.

In this regard, the support of the international community based on genuine partnerships will be essential.

UN-OHRLLS stands ready to do our part.

Through the SIDS Global Business Network (SIDS-GBN) and the SIDS Partnership Framework,  I can see how we can help  to strengthen the international and private sector partnerships in supporting the energy transition in SIDS.

OHRLLS launched the SIDS-GBN to strengthen private sector engagement in the implementation of the SAMOA Pathway and the SDGs.

Both,  ocean and renewable energy are included in its seven thematic priority areas.

The upcoming 2020 SIDS-GBN Forum that OHRLLS is organizing together with Palau provides a platform to take these discussions forward.

The Forum, which is set to take place later this year in Palau, also provides the opportunity to consider the strong business case for energy transition in SIDS to stimulate post pandemic recovery.

The GBN Forum will offer a space for governments, investors,  and knowledge institutions to explore new opportunities and forge new partnerships for the development of mutually beneficial bilateral business relationships.

Participants will be able to share best practices and support the application of innovative solutions for accelerating up-take of clean and cost-effective renewable energy technologies, including ocean energy.

I thank you and I look forward to including the key takeaways of our discussions here today into our GBN process and beyond.