Asia pushes energy security

CEBU — The Philippines and its Asian neighbors jumpstarted a regionwide energy security program with the signing yesterday of an agreement calling for large-scale investments in biofuels and other renewable energy sources.

The "Cebu Declaration on East Asian Energy Security," signed by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) together with Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea, aims to reduce the region’s dependence on the more expensive and environmentally harmful fossil fuels.

The leaders signed the document after wrapping up the East Asia Summit. ASEAN and its dialogue partners called on North Korea yesterday to dismantle its nuclear weapons and abandon nuclear programs.

In a related development, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced a $2-billion aid package to help Asian nations develop energy-saving technology and ease their dependence on oil.

"Energy-saving is a measure that brings about the maximum quantitative effects and immediate results," a Japanese official quoted Abe as saying in a closed-door meeting with other Asian leaders.

President Arroyo gave a copy of the Cebu Declaration document to ASEAN Secretary General Ong Keng Yong in formal ceremonies.

The accord does not set target dates, but the leaders believe it underpins the urgency of a regional action on energy.

In signing the agreement, the leaders cited the unstable world prices of oil, the worsening fossil fuel-related environment and health problems, and the urgent need to address global warming and climate change.

Aside from biofuel or ethanol, other renewable energy sources are hydropower, geothermal, solar, wind, and nuclear.

"Our energy needs are growing rapidly and will necessitate large-scale investments in the coming decades," the leaders said in their joint declaration.

"Renewable energy and nuclear power will represent an increasing share of global supply," they added.

The leaders agreed to ensure a stable energy supply through investments in regional energy infrastructure such as the ASEAN Power Grid and the Trans ASEAN Gas Pipeline.

The agreement also seeks to initiate more effective power conservation programs and "innovative" financing schemes for research and development in biofuels.

"China attaches great importance to energy security and energy cooperation," Premier Wen Jiabao said in a speech during the summit.

China has been seeking greater influence over key energy markets while striving to ease worries over its huge and growing appetite for oil.

Abe, as quoted by one of his officials, said Japan has improved energy efficiency at a rate of 37 percent in the past three decades since the oil shock.

"For the purpose of contributing to Asia’s energy-saving efforts, we would like to share our experience," Abe said.

Meanwhile, Sen. Rodolfo Biazon pressed for Senate ratification of the treaties signed at the 12th ASEAN summit in Cebu.

"Our Philippine laws are clear on the necessity of a Senate ratification. It doesn’t mean that although these agreements were signed in Cebu by our president we are bound by them," Biazon said. "The Department of Foreign Affairs should provide the Senate copies of these agreements for close examination by the legislature."

As Asian leaders wrapped up the summit, militant groups slammed Mrs. Arroyo for her "hypocrite" call for the release from house arrest of Myanmar’s top opposition figure Aung San Suu Kyi. "She is not practicing what she preaches. She is showing her duplicity in dealing with other countries and the Filipino people," Willy Marbella of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas said.

ASEAN dynamism

A long-term geopolitical stability in Asia depends on a strong ASEAN, and a significant United States presence in the region, according to Walter Lohman, a senior fellow at the US think tank Heritage Foundation said.

"When we behave as though we do not understand this, we tempt instability," said Lohman, writing about the ASEAN Cebu summit in Sunday’s issue of The Washington Times.

"While reassuring today, the success of our approach to the dynamism of Southeast Asia will depend on sustaining our attention," he said.

"It is the way we implement, develop and adapt for the next two years that will prove the depth of our commitment to ASEAN and determine the legacy of this administration’s policy in Southeast Asia," he added.

Next summit

ASEAN and its "dialog partners’’ have agreed to hold the next summit on Nov.21 in Singapore.

As they wrapped up this year’s summit in Cebu, the leaders reaffirmed

their commitment to peace, security and economic growth in the region.

Yesterday’s meetings were highlighted by the signing of the Cebu Declaration for an East Asian Energy Security and a call for North Korea to stop its nuclear program, including the test firing of weapons.

"We reiterated out support for ASEAN’s role as the driving force for economic integration in this region," an ASEAN statement said.

ASEAN leaders also urged the World Trade Organization members to break the impasse in the Doha negotiations.

"The impasse in the negotiations must be broken, and to this end, WTO members, particularly the major players, must demonstrate flexibility by moving beyond their current positions in key areas of the Round and display resolve in concluding the Doha Round in a timely manner," the leaders said in a joint statement..- With Pia Lee-Brago, Sandy Araneta, Katherine Adraneda, Jose Katigbak, AFP, AP