Technology and research innovation to deal with climate challenges: Naimi
RIYADH — Saudi Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ali Al-Naimi has emphasized that natural resources have contributed to advancing economic development worldwide for hundreds of years and achieving tremendous developments in various countries and in all walks of life ranging from transportation, education and health care sectors to the sector of infrastructure and all that happened, “thanks to energy derived from fossil fuels bestowed on us by Allah Almighty.”
In his speech made at the closing session of the activities of the 6th Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum Ministerial Meeting in Riyadh held under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, Al-Naimi said: 'We hope that developing countries would be able in the future to take advantage of these resources and that technology and innovation would contribute to helping to reduce any side effects of the use of resources, with my belief that climate change is a challenge that can be dealt with through innovation and progress in the fields of technology and research.”
He added: “You are well aware that the global energy mix is changing and evolving, which is a good and recommended matter since various forms of renewable energy sources, such as nuclear, solar and wind power energies are being used increasingly as a complement to fossil fuels, not replacing them, and we believe that the use of all forms of energy would be necessary to meet the needs of future generations and their requirements.”
He drew attention that this is what made the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum enjoys a great importance to all countries of the world with “our agreement that the harmful emission reduction and dealing with climate change represent a priority at the global level.”
Al-Naimi considered that all countries represented at the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum and others agree that the technology of carbon sequestration and storage represents a very important part of the global quest to reduce greenhouse emissions.
He pointed to the tremendous efforts that are being made here and there all over the world to conduct research on technology of carbon sequestration, storage, development, employment and delivery to all the relevant authorities, commending these efforts including those being exerted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is making steady and significant progress at several fronts. — SG/SPA
