COMMERCE ET ENVIRONNEMENT: 29 AVRIL 2013, GENÈVE
Atelier sur le rôle des accords intergouvernementaux dans la politique énergétique
Au cours des dernières décennies, des difficultés sans précédent sont apparues en rapport avec le commerce de l'énergie, notamment des interruptions de l'approvisionnement, une augmentation de la demande, le déplacement de la consommation vers les marchés émergents et les variations de prix. De plus, la production, la distribution et l'utilisation des types d'énergies conventionnelles comme les combustiles fossiles ont suscité des préoccupations concernant leurs effets négatifs sur le climat.
(uniquement en anglais)
There are calls to switch to cleaner methods of production and energy efficiency. Given the increased volumes of energy materials and products traded across borders, the above challenges provide a new incentive to revisit the current institutional structure of energy governance, which consists of multilateral, plurilateral, regional, and bilateral treaties covering differing and sometimes overlapping spheres of energy trade and investment.
In order to create predictability in the sector, enforceable multilateral rules are of increasing importance. Such rules can best ensure the stability and transparency required in conditions of increasing reliance on internationally traded energy and the need for adequate investment.
The rules of the multilateral system embodied in WTO in the past have been perceived by some to leave the energy sector outside the scope of the WTO. There is however no doubt that these general rules cover trade in energy. The WTO framework contains rules essential for the regulation of energy trade relations, such as rules on import/export restrictions, transit, subsidies, and technical regulations. The WTO framework importantly also provides for enforcement of these rules through a binding dispute settlement. The Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) - the only inter-regional multilateral treaty specific to energy - is based on the WTO rules. The ECT applies those rules specifically to energy trade and also among Energy Charter Treaty states which are outside the WTO. The Energy Charter Treaty contains valuable additions to the WTO framework on transit and investment protection in the energy sector as well as a framework for energy efficiency.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the Workshop is to shed light on the application of existing international rules embodied in WTO and the ECT to trade and investment in energy. The Workshop is also aimed at raising awareness of current challenges the energy sector faces and the implications of such challenges for the regulatory framework. More specifically, the discussion will focus on the interaction of the Energy Charter Treaty and the World Trade Organization Agreements.
The hosting entities are the World Trade Organization and the Energy Charter (Chairman of the Energy Charter Conference Ambassador Selim Kuneralp (Turkey) and Secretary General Ambassador U. Rusnák). Moderator is Ambassador Roderick Abbott.
The press conference of H.E. Ambassador Selim Kuneralp and Ambassador Urban Rusnák will take place in Room S3 of the WTO at 13.00.
REGISTRATION
Participation in this event is free of charge. Participants are requested to register with Mrs. Antigoni Daifotis at the Energy Charter Secretariat by sending an e-mail ([email protected]), or a fax at +32 2 775 98 42, no later than 19 April. Those participants who do not have a badge for regular access to the WTO building will be requested to present an ID with a photograph for recuperation of their badge.
For questions related to substance, programme and speakers please contact Dr. Yulia Selivanova ([email protected], tel. +32 2 775 98 49).
PROGRAMME
Monday, 29 April 2013 |
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9:00 — 10:00 | Registration |
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10:00 — 10:30 |
Opening Session
Audio: Ambassador Urban Rusnák
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10:30 — 11:50 |
Session 1 — Setting the Scene: International Regulation of Energy Trade
Discussion, questions and answers Discussant: Alan Yanovich, Counsellor, Appellate Body, World Trade Organization Audio: Session 1 — Discussion, questions and answers
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12:05 – 13:30 | Session 2 — Current Challenges for International Regulation of Trade in Energy: Transport and Transit
Discussion, questions and answers Discussant: Hasan Yalcin, Chief Counsellor, Mission of Turkey to WTO Audio: Session 2 — Discussion, questions and answers
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15:00 — 16:20
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Session 3 — Investment Rules for Energy: Multilateral and Bilateral Approaches
Discussion, questions and answers Discussants: Peter Milthorp, Counsellor, Trade Policies Review Division, World Trade Organization; Roberto Rios Herran, Partner, law firm Appleton Luff
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16:35 – 18:10 | Session 4 — Adaptation of Current Rules to New Challenges: Mitigation of Climate Change and Development of Sustainable Energy
Discussant: Ricardo Meléndez-Ortiz, co-founder and CEO, International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development
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18:10 — 18:20 |
Concluding remarks
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