President Paul Kagame yesterday met and held talks with the President of Djibouti, Ismael Omar Guelleh, on the side lines of the third World Energy Forum 2012 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.The Forum, held in line with the 2012 United Nationals theme of “Clean, safe and sustainable energy for all”, began with the signing of the World Energy Day Proclamation dedicating October 22 as a day to raise awareness about energy issues and stimulate political will to support sustainable energy.The two leaders had a wide range of discussions regarding the bilateral relations between Rwanda and Djibouti.Speaking at the high level event on Monday, Kagame said that the world is concerned about several energy-related questions.“Future demands of energy far outstripping supply creating massive price increase, uncertainty of supplies due to instability in producing regions, safety of energy sources and limited resources. These concerns have to be addressed,” he added.“In Rwanda, we have devised policies and practices within our means to address some of the specific issues raised at this forum, such as safety, accessibility and sustainability.”His counterpart, President Guelleh talked to Djibouti’s plans to switch completely to clean and renewable energy by 2020, dispensing all conventional energy sources.“The move will not only support Djibouti’s sustainable development plans, but also put the country on the world map for its pioneering efforts,” he said.Rwanda has a 20 hectare piece of land at the port of Djibouti that was offered to the country by Djibouti.The plot presents a big opportunity for the private sector from Rwanda to exploit through setting up their industrial units and will act as a transit point for Rwandan imports and exports.The World Energy Forum resumed yesterday with roundtable ministerial meetings focusing on nuclear energy, fossil fuels, green economy, energy efficiency, public-private partnership among others.The global forum, hosted under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai is, for the first time, taking place outside the headquarters of the United Nations (UN).The three-day high level conference that drew over 2000 delegates, including several Heads of State, scores of national energy ministers, and top leaders from the energy industry among others, aims at charting a roadmap for a sustainable energy mix that can fuel global economic and social development.
