UN partners with oil firm to promote access to sustainable energy in developing countries

The United Nations agency tasked with promoting industrial development and a major oil and gas company today agreed to will work together to explore the feasibility of common projects to promote access to sustainable energy in developing countries.

“We agreed today to closely cooperate and consult one another on matters and geographical areas of mutual interest in order to achieve common objectives,” said Kandeh Yumkella, the Director-General of the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) on the signing of the agreement with Sjur Haugen, the Project Manager for Renewable Energy for Statoil.

“These objectives include creating sustainable energy access and industry in developing countries based primarily on local biomass and natural gas resources,” said Mr. Yumkella.

The geographical scope of the agreement covers countries of mutual interest in sub-Saharan Africa and Central and South America.

“Statoil is proud to be part of the UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Group on Energy and Climate Change and be able to give our inputs on the important agenda of the UN community within the field of energy,” said Mr. Haugen.

“By signing this document, we have agreed to explore the possibilities of setting up a Private-Public Partnership with UNIDO. If proven economic and environmentally sustainable, the industrial concept we have agreed to investigate could represent a tangible improvement in the everyday life of those benefiting from its results,” he added.