TT to host energy ministers meeting

The Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries will host the Sixth Western Hemispheric Energy Ministers Meeting on April 19 and April 21 2004 at the Hilton Tobago. More than 20 ministers have indicated their intention to attend this meeting which builds on the momentum and spirit of cooperation which began at the inaugural Hemis-pheric Energy Ministers Meeting in 1995, a statement from the Energy Ministry said.

The goal of this meeting is to establish an energy security strategy of engagement with recommendations for action that will be presented for approval to the Heads of State at the 2005 Summit of the Americas meeting in Argentina in 2005. The first day will consist of a public-private sector dialogue on the drivers of energy security in the region.

The second day will be a ministerial meeting where ministers can explore possible initiatives in areas including: supply source, standardised regulatory frameworks, energy technology development and transfer, energy diversification, integration and interconnection of electric power grids, hemispheric energy markets, energy delivery systems and the overall security and reliability of energy infrastructure.

A media centre will be available for the purpose of filing stories and will be finished with computers with internet access, fax machines, photocopiers, and an interview room. Hotel rates and registration details are available online at the website www.usea.org/westernhemispheremeeting.htm.