Ministry of Energy signs MoU with IEF; OSP inks deal with U.S. Foundation

RIYADH — The Saudi Ministry of Energy signed on Monday a memorandum of understanding with the International Energy Forum (IEF) to strengthen cooperation across the energy sector. The Oil Sustainability Program (OSP) also signed a memorandum of understanding with Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Energy on sustainable energy access and an agreement with the U.S. Bettering Human Lives Foundation to provide clean cooking solutions using liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The signing ceremony was held in the presence of Minister of Energy and Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman and that was on the sidelines of the 25th WPC Energy Congress, hosted by Saudi Arabia through October 15 as part of Energy Week in Riyadh. Prince Abdulaziz witnessed the signing of the MoU between the Ministry of Energy and the IEF. The ministry was represented by Director General of the General Department for Clean Hydrocarbon Technologies Support Faisal Al-Mousa, while the IEF was represented by Secretary General Jassim Al-Shirawi. The MoU establishes a framework for cooperation acrossenergy-related fields, including the advancement of sustainable practices in clean energy and related technologies, cooperation on climate change mitigation, and the application of the Circular Carbon Economy (CCE) approach and the Regional CCE Cooperation Initiative. It also covers cooperation on climate-related outreach at the regional and international levels. The cooperation will further strengthen the IEF’s engagementwith the Regional CCE Cooperation Initiative, sustain dialogue and build on relevant research, including the IEF report Empowering Sustainable Futures: MENA NDCs Climate Action, which reviews progress on nationally determined contributions and provides a comprehensive regional perspective on climate action in the Middle East and North Africa. Prince Abdulaziz also witnessed the signing of a MoU onsustainable energy access between the Oil Sustainability Program and the Ministry of Energy of Sierra Leone. The MoU was signed by OSP Chief Executive Officer Mohammed Al-Tayyar and Sierra Leone Deputy Minister of Energy Abdul Rahman Jalloh. The MoU establishes a framework for cooperation on sustainable initiatives and practices, including exploring opportunities for renewable energy projects, promoting the development of hydrocarbon-based solutions for transport infrastructure and fuels, and expanding access to clean cooking. The cooperation also includes developing and implementingintegrated plans to expand access to clean cooking energy, including LPG and renewable energy solutions, and raising awareness of the role of clean cooking in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. It aims to strengtheninternational cooperation and facilitate increased investment in clean cooking fuels, technologies and related value chains. The two sides will also cooperate to facilitate household access to clean cooking solutions in Sierra Leone, including electricity support, energy-efficiency certificates, LPG and other cooking solutions, through a collaborative partnership. Prince Abdulaziz also witnessed the signing of an agreementbetween the Oil Sustainability Program and the U.S. Bettering Human Lives Foundation to provide clean cooking solutions using LPG. The agreement was signed by OSP Chief Executive Officer Mohammed Al-Tayyar and the foundation’s Executive Director Anne Hyre. The agreement aims to strengthen cooperation between the two sides and explore opportunities to develop a strategic partnership by aligning priorities and examining potential frameworks for implementing the initiative in a manner that serves their mutual interests. It also covers opportunities to develop integrated projectssupporting the growth of the LPG market, community-based initiatives led by women, and efforts to promote safety awareness and build trust to encourage the adoption and sustained use of clean fuels. Areas of cooperation include identifying opportunities to expand the LPG ecosystem, exchanging knowledge and expertise, assessing solutions suited to end users and target communities, and raising awareness of the initiative. The agreement also provides for engagement with local andinternational regulatory perspectives through studies, workshops, roundtables, seminars and multilateral conferences.