Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary General of the Arab League, has said that Arab bodies concerned with nuclear energy coordinate to support Arab capabilities to diversify energy sources and expand nuclear power plants.
He stressed that nuclear energy represents a promising area, and perhaps the most appropriate way to address global warming and the needs of economic growth, a combination that may not be available in any other energy sources.
Aboul Gheit, added during the opening of the conference of the 15th Arab Conference for Peaceful Uses of atomic energy, that Arab leaders issued a number of resolutions calling for the development of these uses, and to develop a joint Arab program in this vital field.
He added that energy will remain the backbone of the world economy and a vital source for the development of nations and our Arab region is an important model in this regard, where the demand for electricity in the Arab countries is about three times the global average.
Aboul Gheit noted that the Arab countries are almost entirely dependent on oil and gas to meet their energy requirements and the volume of investments in the Arab region during the period 2019-2023 is estimated by $1trn to meet the needs of the region, where demand for electricity demand increases more than 4% annually.
He said that ensuring this growing demand for energy and adapting to future climate changes in the region requires a future plan that takes into account these challenges.
“The Arab vision in this regard is based on the main axes, the most important of which is the diversification of energy sources, benefit from the advantages of the Arab region and its potential and work on investment in the energy sector” he added.
He pointed out that the shift to clean and renewable energy does not mean ignoring investments in traditional energy, i.e. oil and gas. The transformation must take place gradually and without creating crises in energy markets.
“The Arab vision paid special attention to the promotion of Arab integration in the field of energy, pointing to the great effort exerted by the Council of ministers thanks to its tireless work we have made great strides in reaching a real Arab market,” Aboul Gheit added.
According to Aboul Gheit, the diversification of Arab energy sources mainly includes power generation and desalination using nuclear energy.
In this context, the Ministerial Council of electricity and the General Conference of the Arab Atomic Energy Authority adopted a series of resolutions stressing the importance of coordination between the competent Arab bodies and the establishment of joint periodic programs and activities.
Aboul Gheit noted the size of the deficit in covering the growing demand for electricity and water in the Arab countries, a problem that cannot be solved without promoting the use of clean energy sources and diversification of energy sources.
This includes nuclear energy to reduce harmful emissions and adapt to climate change, which unfortunately our Arab region is one of the most vulnerable to its effects.
“The Arabs should step up research into the Peaceful Uses of nuclear energy,” Aboul Gheit said … In addition to establishing joint-return projects throughout the region, focusing on investment in financing the vital fields of energy generation and seawater desalination
He pointed out that the Climate Summit in Glasgow a few weeks ago ended with mixed results, as the participants did not make much progress in the fields of financing developing countries to support them in their transition to environmentally friendly economies and technology transfer and others.
Aboul Gheit added that these topics will be discussed at the two climate summits, which will be hosted by Egypt next year and then the UAE in 2023, which are opportunities to discuss the issues and concerns of the Arab region in adopting new energy options, including peaceful atomic energy
