The inaugural Summit of the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT) Ministers concluded with the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) joining other territories in adopting a Sustainable Energy Roadmap in Brussels-Belgium on June 17, 2015.
Ms. Susan Malcolm, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Planning, signed on behalf of the Turks and Caicos Islands. The delegation also included Mr. Desmond Wilson, Deputy Secretary and Mr. Malike Cummings, Energy and Utilities Commissioner.
“The Summit fostered exchange on the possible contribution of OCTs for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the annual Conference of Parties, which will take place later this year in Paris” stated Mrs. Malcolm.
“It also allowed Ministers and Technocrats to provide guidance regarding Sustainable Energy priorities for the Thematic Programming under the European Development Fund.”
The OCT Sustainable Energy Roadmap is intended to facilitate and support the path towards lowering fossil fuel dependency and increasing energy efficiency, and the uptake of renewable energy technologies; further assisting OCTs in the transition towards sustainable energy.
Malike Cummings added; “I was able to make a presentation highlighting the unique challenges faced by the overseas countries and territories, in particular the TCI. It also unveiled targeted solutions and actions to overcome the barriers for sustainable energy development.”
“The endorsement of the OCT Roadmap is a crucial deliverable in confirming funding for renewable energy, which is one of the focal areas for both the Caribbean Regional Programme ($44.2M) as well as the Thematic Programme ($17.7M-$19.9M), by the European Development Fund.”
Participants to the Summit included OCT & EU member-state Government officials, Members of the European Parliament, European (energy) research institutes, the International Renewable Energy Agency, the European Commission, the International Energy Agency and other relevant stakeholders.
The roadmap, developed collaboratively with the energy experts in the OCTs, addresses the key strategies and actions to be implemented, complementing and promoting existing National Strategies on Sustainable Energy in each of the OCTs.