Minister of State for Trade and Industry Dr Koh Poh Koon attended the G20 Energy Ministerial Meeting (EMM) held in Beijing, China from 29 to 30 June 2016.
The theme for this year’s EMM was “Low Carbon, Smart and Sharing”. The Ministers of the G20 countries exchanged views on key issues such as energy access, energy efficiency and clean energy, as well as the role of the G20 in enhancing international energy cooperation. Singapore was invited by China to participate in the discussions.
During the meeting, Dr Koh underscored Singapore’s support for the G20’s focus on enhancing energy access in the Asia Pacific. He highlighted the importance of natural gas as a key aspect of global energy supply, and encouraged G20 countries to work towards the development of competitive gas markets as well as to enhance gas trading. On renewable energy, Dr Koh encouraged greater exchanges on technological and regulatory advancements to facilitate the integration of intermittent generation sources such as solar into power systems.
Dr Koh also announced that Singapore and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission on the Asia and Pacific (UNESCAP) agreed to collaborate on a workshop to promote energy access in the Asia Pacific region in October, during the Singapore International Energy Week 2016. The workshop will bring together key energy stakeholders and policy makers from the G20 and the Asia Pacific to share best practices in promoting investment, financing and building institutional capacity.
Commenting on the meeting, Dr Koh said, “Singapore is pleased to have the opportunity to participate and contribute to the G20 discussions on energy. The G20 has great potential to shape the future of regional and international energy cooperation, and make substantial progress on energy security and sustainable development".
While in Beijing, Dr Koh also had bilateral meetings with several of his counterparts on the sidelines of the EMM to reaffirm bilateral ties and explore opportunities for cooperation.
Dr Koh was accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Energy Market Authority.
Ministry of Trade and Industry
30 June 2016
Annex A: Photos
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Annex A: Photos
Minister of State for Trade & Industry Dr Koh Poh Koon at the G20 Energy Ministerial Meeting, held in Beijing, China from 29 to 30 June 2016.