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Mechanism for RET Development highlighted in COMSATS International Meeting on Renewable Energy Technologies and Sustainable Development, February 10-11, 2004, Islamabad - Pakistan The Commission on Science on Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS) organized the International Meeting on Renewable Energy Technologies and Sustainable Development from 10-11 February 2004 in Hotel Holiday Inn, Islamabad. The event was co-organized by the Pakistan Council of Renewable Energy Technologies (PCRET) and the Global Change Impact Studies Centre (GCISC). The objective of the meeting was to review the role of renewable energy in the overall context of sustainable development. This included discussion on current and future technologies in renewable energy production and distribution and examination of issues involved in the development of renewable energies for the third world.There were a total of 26 speakers who made presentations in 6 Technical Sessions, of which 10 were foreign experts representing countries of China, Germany, Denmark, Jordan, Syria and Egypt. The registered participants for the event are more than 60 and these included eminent scientists, heads of S&T institutions, scholars and students from various academic and research institutions. Overall 21 national and international organizations are being represented in this two-day International event. The Advisor to the Prime Minister on Science and Technology, Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman presided over the inaugural ceremony on the 10th of February and pledged government’s commitment to reinforce national energy mix with renewable energy technologies and appreciated the efforts of COMSATS and partner organizations in organizing this event. Earlier, the Executive Director COMSATS, Dr. Hameed A. Khan welcomed the gathering, which was followed by the address of Prof. Dr. Preben Maegaard, President World Wind Energy Association (Germany). The Director General, Pakistan Council of Renewable Energy Technologies and Dr. Arshad M. Khan, Executive Director, Global Change Impact Studies Centre also shared their views and highlighted the issues concerning development of renewable technologies. The concluding ceremony, which was held on the 11th of February, was chaired by Air Marshal Shahid Hamid S.I.(M), T.I.(M), SBt, Chairman, Alternative Energy Development Board. AM Shahid supported the general conclusion of the meeting and lauded the efforts of the organizing authorities, especially COMSATS, whose facilitative platform attracted experts from different corners of the globe. Earlier, Dr. Ishtiaq A. Qazi presented the summary of the recommendations of the meeting. The President of Energy Research Institute, Sudan, and Prof. Dr. Preben Maegaard, appreciated the successful organization of the meeting.. Dr. Maegaard praised the high level of Pakistani expertise in RETs and invited them to participate in the upcoming conference on ‘Renewables – 2004’ at Bonn, Germany. The convention of experts recommended that focused meeting on RETs be convened on sub-sectors such as, wind, solar and geo-thermal. Hands on experience in training workshops, and technical visits to relevant institutions may also be arranged in future. Some of the participants advocated the strengthening of institutions in terms of skilled manpower. Citing the achievements of other developing countries, Dr. Hilal A Raza, Chairman, World Energy Council South Asia Region, suggested the establishment of separate Ministry of RETs in Pakistan. The meeting also recommended that due attention be paid to low-end technologies, which can be easily assimilated by the end users, specifically in the case of rural electrification. [ Recommendations ] |
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