Choi Seok Young在2005上海论坛的发言

　　由复旦大学主办的“上海论坛2007”将于2007年5月25日至27日在复旦大学举行。此次论坛拟邀请世界各国著名学者、政要及商界精英300人与会。在“经济全球化与亚洲的选择”的主题下，上海论坛2007以“关注亚洲、聚焦热点、荟萃精英、推进互动、增强合作、谋求共识”为宗旨，努力构建“学界、政界、商界”三方互动的交流平台，对当今全球经济和国际局势所面临的重大问题展开广泛、多维和深入的研讨。以下为上海论坛-2005回顾。

APEC strives for Energy Security and Energy Sustainability

Ambassador Choi Seok Young

　　Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat

　　At the outset, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Dr. Wang Sheng Hong, the president of Fudan University. It is my great honor to say a few words on behalf of APEC at this prominent Forum. The topic of this Forum, “Economic Globalization and the Choice of Asia,” is quite opportune and pertinent as Shanghai is a show case of the benefits accruing from the economic globalization. Today, I wish to share with you some insights into APEC’s goals and its contribution to the energy security to secure the economic sustainability in our region.

　　First of all, I would like to touch upon APEC’s evolution and the challenges we face. Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, or APEC, is a process that I am sure is familiar to everyone in this room. APEC is a forum of 21 Member Economies committed to the development of an economic community based on shared prosperity and security. Our Member Economies are vastly different in size, political power and culture. They stretch from Russia in the west, through North and South-East Asia across the Pacific to five economies in the Americas. APEC Member Economies account for around half of the world's trade and are home to over 2.5 billion people.

　　The APEC process is itself very unique. While the Annual Economic Leaders' Meeting is the most prominent event on our calendar, each year a significant number of APEC events take place and more than 250 projects are undertaken around the region.

　　This broad range of areas in which APEC is involved is a reflection of the interrelated nature of the contemporary global economy.

　　There is no doubt that energy is one of the critical factors underpinning both the modern global economy and developing communities in the APEC region. Sustainable economic growth is dependent on adequate, reliable and affordable supplies of energy. In 1996, at the first APEC Energy Ministers Meeting held in Sydney, Ministers agreed that meeting the growing demand for energy in environmentally responsible way is essential to fully realize the region's economic growth potential. In 2001, Leaders identified the risks to the world economy posed by volatility in the oil market and called for appropriate measures. These and other challenges faced by the energy sector are taken into consideration by APEC for a, including Energy Working Group (EWG).

　　Energy issues have been given a particularly high priority at APEC events in recent years. The APEC Energy Security Initiative (ESI) was endorsed by Leaders in 2001 and last year in Santiago APEC Leaders endorsed the Comprehensive Action Initiative which further strengthened the ESI. This commitment for enhanced energy security was motivated by the serious impact of recent high oil prices on APEC economies.

　　In my presentation today, I would like to highlight three broad issues. These are: 1) energy demand and supply in APEC region; 2) Facilitating energy investment and energy efficiency; 3) Expanding energy sources and technological innovation:

　　Energy Demand and Supply in APEC Region

　　Looking around the Asia-Pacific, energy demand has been remarkably strong for some time and only looks like strengthening. In recent years annual energy consumption in the APEC Region accounted for around 59% of total world energy consumption. This level of consumption is further expected to increase by over sixty per cent over the period of 1995 to 2020.

　　The APEC region is in fact an overall net energy importer, and these energy imports are projected to increase exponentially in the coming years. According to the Asia Pacific Energy Research Center, or APERC report, regional dependence on imported oil will increase to 55% by 2020 from its current level of 36 %. This growing appetite for energy poses a serious energy security concern throughout the region as potential energy supply disruptions would seriously hamper regional economic growth.

　　To address the requirement for accurate data on energy demand and supply in the APEC region, APEC has adopted a number of actions. One of the notable achievements is the operation of the Asia Pacific Energy Research Center, which was established on Japan’s initiative. APERC is a joint research institution tasked with evaluating energy supply and demand outlook in APEC region.

　　APEC also continued through the EWG Expert Group on Energy Data and Analysis to collect and report monthly oil data to the global Joint Oil Data Initiative. This has served as a means to improve the accuracy, coverage and timeliness of data and transparency in the global oil market. Moreover, an Internet-based Real-time Emergency Information Sharing System is being developed to deal with potential issues such as earthquakes, tsunamis, sudden power blackouts, and terrorist attacks. APEC also has assisted Member Economies to have emergency mechanisms and contingency plans in place to provide the capacity to respond the energy emergency.

　　Facilitating energy investment and energy efficiency in the APEC Region

　　Upward pressure on energy prices is attributable to the strong energy demand from Asia and North America, geopolitical instability in key energy exporting countries and constraints on infrastructure to deliver energy sources to the market. If steps are not taken to attract investment in a timely manner, this situation is expected to worsen as energy demand grows exponentially. These trends, coupled with record oil prices, give rise to serious concerns about short-term energy supply disruptions leading to long-term consequences that will harm regional and member economies.

　　According to APEC projections, this already substantial and ever-increasing demand for energy poses significant challenges in mobilising private capital and international financial resources to meet regional needs. It is estimated that around US$ 3.4 trillion to US$ 4.4 trillion will be required in energy investments over the next 20 years. Developing economies are faced with greater challenges with energy investment requirements being larger while at the same time their domestic capital markets are often underdeveloped. There are also problems for industrialized economies where regulatory uncertainty may often make it harder to attract capital to develop energy infrastructure.

　　APEC’s approach to facilitating investment in the energy sector, fostering efficient capital markets, and engaging international financial institutions and the private sector have become all the more urgent in the current economic environment. To address these challenges, APEC presented recommendations in the EWG’s ‘Energy Investment Report.’ This report was developed working closely with the private sector through the Energy Working Group Business Network and representatives from the financial community. In addition, APEC has undertaken several projects that seek to build support for establishing standardized methods and procedures for financing Energy Efficiency Projects, or EEPs to alleviate investor’s concerns.

　　APEC has also worked together on energy standards to enhance energy efficiency.

　　As part of these efforts APEC has carried out a ‘Pledge and Review Program’ by developing guidelines and has supported the Energy Standards and Labeling Cooperation Initiative. The strengthened standards on energy saving or energy saving products set by Governments has also provided a positive influence to energy service companies.

　　Expanding energy choices and technological innovations

　　The high reliance on the use of fossil fuels in the Asia-Pacific contributes directly to pollution of the environment, increasing levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, increased health problems, global warming, climate instability and acid rain. In many instances, renewable energy can provide a cheap, clean and reliable source of electricity. During the last two decades, new and renewable energy sources have started to emerge. While the role of these renewable energy sources is currently limited in the marketplace, their greater use is expected to occur in the future as costs are reduced as technological development continues.

　　The development of new and renewable energy involves a large allocation of resources and technology, which developing countries often find difficult to finance APEC has placed great priority on supporting the development of more economically viable new and renewable energy technologies by encouraging information exchange, technology transfer, capacity building and market development. APEC has also supported the research and development of hydrogen and alternative transportation fuels and methane hydrates. Some APEC Leaders have characterized the future APEC economy as the hydrogen economy, and work towards the development of technology that can promote the usage of hydrogen is ongoing. APEC is also encouraging interested members to cooperate on nuclear powers in accordance with the agreed framework

　　Conclusion

　　For APEC, the role of energy is crystal clear. The potential for increased trade and the creation of new jobs, the empowerment of industry and communities in developing economies and ultimately the future prosperity of our region depends on sustainable and secure energy supplies. As mentioned earlier, the APEC region is a melting pot of diversity. We have to bear in mind that around 200 million people still have no access to electricity while we have some of the most affluent economies in the world.

　　APEC Member Economies are committed to undertaking joint and individual activities to promote energy development, to seek opportunities to enhance the attractiveness of investment in the energy sector, and to develop new and renewable energy sources. APEC members are also strengthening coordination to enhance the region’s energy security in the long term, while giving priority to sustainable development, poverty reduction and environmental consideration.

　　APEC Energy Ministers have met six times since 1996 when 14 non-binding energy policy principles were adopted. In light of sustained high oil prices and possible adverse impact on APEC economic growth, APEC Energy Ministers have also agreed to hold an extraordinary meeting in Korea in October 2005, which I hope will provide substantial input to alleviating current energy concerns.

　　APEC has now reached its midpoint between its inception in 1989 and the ultimate Bogor Goals target date of 2020. This year, under the guidance of Korea as hosts, the mid term stock take of the APEC process will find the issue of energy sustainability and security particularly relevant as plans are laid for the future of our regional development.

　　Thank you.