OAS and U.S. State Department Host Renewable Energy Meeting and Tour for Energy Ministers from Central America and the Caribbean

Energy Minister Dr. Asim Martin

OAS Release…Aug 26, 2010 – The Organization of American States (OAS), through its Department of Sustainable Development, the United States Department of State and the Government of Brazil will co-host the “Renewable Energy Meeting and Site Visit for Energy Ministers from Central America and the Caribbean” in South Florida from August 26 to 28, 2010.

The site visit is an activity of the U.S. – Brazil Bilateral Memorandum of Understanding to Advance Cooperation on Biofuels, which makes possible the exchange of experiences between the U.S. and Brazil on sustainable biofuels while enabling the exchange of information with several third-party countries in Central America and the Caribbean that have unique opportunities for the development and local use of biofuels. The OAS serves as an institutional partner to the agreement, supporting technical assistance and policy reform activities in third-party countries, including: Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Guatemala, Jamaica, and St. Kitts and Nevis. Ministers in charge of energy and other senior officials from the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Guatemala and Jamaica will participate in this tour.

The site visit will facilitate the sharing of experiences and information on several alternative energy solutions, including biofuels and solar power. It will also enable the exchange of innovative programs and policies that encourage the development and use of clean energy alternatives. Participants will join in a series of visits on Friday, August 27, including tours of the Concentrated Solar Power Facility of Florida Power and Light (Indiantown, Fla.), the USDA Agricultural Research Service Sugarcane Field Station (Canal Point, Fla.), and the Florida Crystals Cogeneration Facility (Okeelanta, Fla.). A final meeting and strategy session has been scheduled for all participants for Saturday, August 28, at the Hotel Intercontinental West Miami.

“The OAS is committed to supporting its Member States in the articulation of a sustainable energy policy and programs,” said Mark Lambrides, Chief of the OAS Energy Section. “This event seeks to strengthen energy cooperation among participating countries, placing special emphasis on the promotion of sustainable bioenergy development and use as an alternative to imported oil.”