The Declaration on East Asian Energy Security signed by the leaders of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and six dialogue partners during the Second East Asia Summit, which was concluded on January 15, calls for moves to improve energy efficiency and reduce dependence on fossil fuels and urges countries to expand renewable energy systems and biofuel production.

I would like to give a big hand to this energy security declaration as energy security is not only the concern of the East Asian nations but also that of the whole world, including African countries.

Namibia is also faced with the problem of energy. It is now seeking regional and international cooperation to build nuclear power generation plants to achieve self-sufficiency in electricity generation.

I think there are many common grounds for energy cooperation between African and East Asian nations.

Joseph Gibbs

Namibia

(China Daily 01/18/2007 page11)