TAGBILARAN CITY, Aug. 7 — Security was tightened in Bohol as delegates from 34 nations around Asia converged in Panglao Island Monday for the Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Conference.
Bohol hosts the three-day conference, which seeks to address the various issues on energy security, sustainability and resiliency in the Asian region.
Checkpoints have been set up in key areas since Thursday when delegates started arriving for the forum.
The increasing energy demand in Asia has been an issue, and the forum seeks to gather solutions and ideas for sustainable and reliable energy.
The reduction in the use of fossil fuels will also be tackled as the participating Asian nations are likewise focusing on the use of renewable energy.
Energy Secretary Al Cusi extended his gratitude to the Bohol Provincial Government for its support and cooperation in the country’s hosting of the forum.
Cusi said the forum will help the Philippine government find answers to problems on energy security, sustainability and resiliency in the face of climate change as there would be information exchange and sharing of best practices among member countries.
“We also need to find ways that would make electricity affordable to the rural poor,” said Cusi.
The forum also comes at a time when Bohol is struggling with its power supply, which remains less than desirable in the aftermath of the Leyte earthquake last July.
Participants in the meetings, including experts and officials from the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, are from Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and the Philippines. (Dave Albarado/PNA)
