Summit of American Nations Opens to Address Energy Concerns

The Organization of American States has opened its 37th general assembly to address concerns over energy supplies and the need to develop alternative forms of energy. In Panama City, VOA’s Brian Wagner reports that U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon attended the opening session to pledge the support of the world body.

Speaking to delegates, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon welcomed plans to discuss the role stable energy supplies have in sustaining economic development and alleviating poverty.
He said the Americas region has emerged as a world leader in the development of biofuels, which are mainly produced in Brazil and the United States. Mr. Ban also praised efforts to boost energy efficiency and environmental sustainability, especially amid growing concerns about the impacts of climate change.

The U.N. chief warned that climate change may prevent countries from fulfilling Millennium Development goals of cutting poverty and ensuring environmental sustainability by the target date of 2015.

“We have arrived at a tipping point. Global warming could seriously impair our ability to reach the goals and even reverse achievements in human development,” Mr. Ban said.

Voice of America