Topic: Challenges and opportunities for global economic recovery: sustainable, secure and resilient economies
Introduction: Andreas Feicht, State Secretary, Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy
Speaker: Dr. Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA, OECD)
Please find more details about the colloquium here:
Agenda:
We are very pleased that State Secretary Andreas Feicht, federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy will give an introduction to the topic. The guest lecture by Dr. Fatih Birol (approx. 15-20 minutes) is followed by a Q&A part with the moderator (approx. 10 minutes) and a moderated discussion (approx. 60 minutes).
The colloquium is in English.
Only invited and registered participants can actively interact and communicate in the digital colloquium. All interested people can follow the events via live stream.
Abstract:
During the current lockdown phase the main focus is on managing the health crisis as a result of COVID-19, sustaining the economy for the future (jobs, banks and companies) and fighting the impacts of the substantial reduction of global economic activity. The longer the crisis will last, the higher the impacts will be felt, including on the energy sector. COVID-19 has led to a major demand shock, which is radically impacting global commodity markets, notably the oil sector. Maintaining energy security is critical, as the energy sector is vital for the health of the citizens and the economy and needs to continue functioning (along with water, food, health care and waste).
Around the world governments are drawing up stimulus plans in an effort to counter the economic damage from the coronavirus. These stimulus packages offer an excellent opportunity to ensure that the essential task of building a secure and sustainable energy future does not get lost amid the flurry of immediate priorities. Governments should put clean energy at the heart of their stimulus plans to reassure investors of their commitments, enhance energy resilience and boost investment.
International cooperation remains as important as ever before. Governments look to each other to learn and implement what has proven to be resilient, learning also from previous recovery programmes, as part of a sharing of global experience and solidarity to increase effective local and national responses.
