26 July 1991

32nd plenary meeting

Development and efficient use of energy resources

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling the Declaration on International Economic Cooperation, in particular the Revitalization of Economic Growth and Development of the Developing Countries, and the International Development Strategy for the Fourth United Nations Development Decade,

Recalling also General Assembly resolutions 40/208 of 17 December 1985 and 45/209 of 21 December 1990 on the development of the energy resources of developing countries,

Recalling further its resolutions 1987/10 of 26 May 1987 and 1989/6 of 22 May 1989,

Recognizing that the revitalization of economic growth and development of developing countries and the integration of economies in transition into the world economy may lead in certain cases to an increase in energy demand,

Recognizing also that in view of increased energy demand, new and additional investments and strengthened energy policies, including conservation and efficient management of energy resources, will be needed to prevent energy shortages,

Concerned that energy shortages in developing countries are causing a serious disruption of economic activities,

Affirming that the exploitation of energy sources in developing countries, including available hydropower potential and other sources of energy, if adequately developed with appropriate capital and technological inputs, could contribute to the solution of energy shortages in those countries,

Reaffirming that the developing countries have the primary responsibility for their strategies and policies for the exploration and development of their energy resources, including the need to mobilize financial resources, internal and external, in order to develop their national technical skills and capabilities in the energy sector,

1. Takes note with appreciation of the reports of the Secretary-General on energy resources;

2. Reaffirms the need for the United Nations system to intensify its efforts to promote the international exchange of experience and knowledge and the flow of efficient technologies, especially new and emerging ones, to developing countries;

3. Acknowledges the need to facilitate access for developing countries to energy efficient technologies and research and, in that context, calls upon the United Nations system and developed countries to support the development of national endeavours of developing countries, as well as regional and interregional cooperation;

4. Calls upon the international community, including developed countries, to make technology and financial resources available to the developing countries to enable them to fully develop their potential capability in the field of new and renewable sources of energy, including their vast hydropower potential;

5. Urges multilateral and regional financial institutions, as well as donor countries, to allocate financial resources to promote programmes and technical cooperation projects in support of the development of energy resources in the developing countries;

6. Requests the Secretary-General to submit to the Committee on Natural Resources at its thirteenth session a report on trends and salient issues in energy, containing information on ways and means of enhancing energy efficiency and conservation and of promoting the development of economically viable energy resources, and containing relevant conclusions and recommendations of international and regional seminars, workshops and conferences, organized by the United Nations, that address energy issues;

7. Also requests the Secretary-General to submit to the Committee at its thirteenth session a report on ways and means by which the energy policy objectives proposed by the World Bank to the developing countries and the policies and objectives contained in the International Development Strategy for the Fourth United Nations Development Decade could correspond;

8. Further requests the Secretary-General to submit to the Committee at its thirteenth session a report on programmes under way and planned for human resources development in the field of energy, including measures for required institutional strengthening through advisory services, on-the-job training, external fellowships and comprehensive training packages.