Energy Access Platform Charter is signed at OFID
July 25, 2016, Vienna, Austria. Meeting at OFID’s Headquarters in Vienna, Austria on July 21, industry leaders confirmed their commitment to the Oil and Gas Industry Energy Access Platform (EAP) by signing the EAP’s Charter, electing an Executive Committee and discussing future actions.
OFID’s Director-General Suleiman J. Al-Herbish congratulated the Group’s combined efforts to formalize the EAP in such a short period of time. He further stated: “providing energy access to the poor is our shared responsibility, one we can best fulfil through such meaningful and creative cooperation”. He added that “OFID has been working towards cooperating with the oil and gas industry in eradicating energy poverty since being mandated to do so in November 2007 by our Member Countries. I look forward to seeing the first concrete results of this endeavour, enhancing the lives of countless numbers of people in developing countries.”
Representatives of the following organizations signed the charter:
- OFID
- World Petroleum Council
- TOTAL S.A.
- Shell International
- OMV
- Schlumberger Limited
- International Gas Union
- Global LPG Partnership
A representative from Aramco Overseas also attended the meeting as an observer.
The committee discussions revolved around the development of an action plan for 2016-2017, as well as additional avenues for future collaboration. The Executive Committee also considered outreach efforts for the platform and assigned a Task Force on Communication with all related activities.
Launched in March of this year at OFID, the overall goal of the EAP is to contribute to the achievement of the SE4ALL objective on universal energy access through the enormous potential of the industry to build upon its leadership, technology and much relevant business experience. At the same time, EAP will provide a platform for the Oil and Gas Companies to collaborate with other stakeholders on specific actions focused on energy access.
About OFID
The OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) is the development finance institution established by the Member States of OPEC in 1976 as a collective channel of aid to the developing countries. OFID works in cooperation with developing country partners and the international donor community to stimulate economic growth and alleviate poverty in all disadvantaged regions of the world. It does this by providing financing to build essential infrastructure that meets basic needs—such as food, energy, clean water and sanitation, healthcare and education—and working to promote productivity, competitiveness and trade.
Published on The OPEC Fund for International Development | July 25, 2016