*EPF411 05/01/2003
Text: U.S. Supports Establishment of Energy Forum's Secretariat
(New body to enhance oil producer-consumer dialogue, energy secretary says) (670)

U.S. Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham has announced U.S. support for the establishment of a permanent secretariat within an international energy forum to enhance the dialogue between oil-producing and oil-consuming countries.

In an April 30 news release Abraham said that the initiative aims at strengthening understanding and cooperation among members of the International Energy Forum (IEF), an informal group comprising about 50 countries and international organizations.

The secretariat will seek to advance open markets and investment flows, energy security, oil market data and transparency, energy supply and demand forecasts and other issues, as well as support planning of the biennial IEF meetings, the Energy Department said.

The department emphasized that the secretariat -- based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where Abraham made the statement during a meeting with the Saudi oil minister -- "is not intended to be a formal international organization."

Following is the text of the release:

(begin text)

U.S. Department of Energy

Secretary Abraham Announces Continued U.S. Support for The International Energy Forum

U.S. To Help Sponsor Creation of Executive Secretariat

WASHINGTON, DC -- Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham today announced the United States' support for an initiative to create a small, permanent Secretariat to enhance the operations of the International Energy Forum (IEF). The IEF is an informal group consisting of about 50 countries and international organizations, dedicated to promoting better understanding of international oil and energy market developments and policy issues among its members. It is an outgrowth of the "Producer-Consumer Dialogue" that began in the 1980s.

"Improving communication and cooperation among international energy producers and consumers is an important component of President Bush's National Energy Policy," Secretary Abraham said. "Through the IEF, the U.S. engages in improved communications aimed at enhancing understanding and cooperation between producers and consumers, and all energy market participants. The IEF holds great promise for promoting our shared goals in the areas of energy security, market stability, sustainable development, free trade and open markets."

Secretary Abraham made the statement while in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during a meeting with Saudi Oil Minister Ali Al-Naimi, as part of the Secretary's travels to Saudi Arabia, Paris, Qatar and Spain during which he engaged in discussions with his counterparts on the topics of international energy issues and energy dialogue.

The Executive Secretariat, to be comprised of professional staff members, will be based in Riyadh and will be managed by an Executive Director with oversight by an Executive Board comprised of IEF member countries, the International Energy Agency [IEA], and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries [OPEC]. Membership on the Executive Board will rotate every two years among member countries.

The Executive Secretariat will support host countries in planning the biennial IEF meetings of Energy Ministers and seek to advance other issues such as oil market data and transparency, improved relations between producers and consumers, energy supply and demand forecasts, energy technologies, open markets and investment flows, sustainable development, and energy security from an international vantage point.

The current Executive Board of the IEF consists of France, India, Iran, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Saudi Arabia (only permanent member), South Africa, Venezuela, and United Arab Emirates; along with the IEA; and OPEC. There is also an advisory committee for industry.

The IEF Executive Secretariat is not intended to be a formal international organization, and membership remains voluntary, but most IEF member countries are expected to participate.

To date, there have been eight biennial IEF meetings at the Ministerial level. Secretary Abraham participated in the last IEF meeting held in Osaka, Japan, in September 2002. The 9th Forum is planned for either May 22-24, 2004 or June 19-21, 2004, in the Netherlands.

The Executive Board has met once in The Netherlands in December 2002 and it is scheduled to meet again next month in Saudi Arabia to continue working on the organizational structure of the IEF Executive Secretariat.

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(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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