Georgian president participates at 5th Global Energy Efficiency Conference in Paris
Salome Zurabishvili started her speech by touching on the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, the ensuing economic downturn and increased unemployment and poverty.
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President of Georgia Salome Zurabishvili has participated at the 5th Global Energy Efficiency Conference in Paris, France, where she spoke about developments in the energy sector both at home and across the globe.
Zurabishvili started her speech by touching on the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, the ensuing economic downturn and increased unemployment and poverty.
???? WATCH LIVE: Prioritising energy efficiency for sustainable economic recovery with @IEABirol, @Zourabichvili_S, @ClaudeTurmes, @cgamboat, Satoshi Tsunakawa (@Tohsiba) & Ajay Mathur (@teriin) https://t.co/ba4jC8pO40
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She pointed out Covid-19 has also transformed the energy and climate landscape and priorities around the world, caused oil prices to plummet, halted investments in renewable resources.
Around 1 billion people around the world still have no access to energy and the pandemic will only increase inequalities and poverty in all our societies. Thus, ensuring access to and affordability of clean and safe energy for all - becomes an even more important priority", Zurabishvili said at the conference.
Zurabishvili spoke about Georgia and its energy efficiency development.
She said that energy costs have been reduced by 80 per cent as a result of modernising municipal transport and street lightings, introducing biomass fuel supply chains and heating systems, also energy efficient infrastructure and solar thermal technologies at homes for the elderly and kindergartens.
Sadly, we are unable to offer the same benefits to our citizens in the occupied territories of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region", said Zurabishvili.
At the end of her speech, Zurabishvili sorted out 'several key messages that I want to leave with you today':
It takes strong leadership, commitment and joint action. Even small countries like ours with limited resources can achieve better energy efficiency targets as long as there is a clear vision and systemic action.
- For governments, economic recovery and sustainable energy should not be mutually exclusive.
- We need to focus on energy efficiency knowledge and technology transfer to less advanced countries, so that progress is for all.
- Need to stimulate green policies, including access to green finance.
- Energy efficiency can indeed be a very powerful mechanism to reduce inequalities and poverty.
- Sustainable growth is no longer a choice for tomorrow. And only through sustainable and inclusive recovery - we can achieve the goal of building cleaner and more secure energy systems. We as governments have to lead in that direction".
To note, Zurabishvili became part of the Global Commission of Energy Efficiency in 2019.