ID :
116614
Wed, 04/14/2010 - 14:11
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/116614
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UAE shown clear determination in defining global solutions to climate challenge, Crown Prince Norway
Abu Dhabi, April 14, 2010 (WAM)- HRH Crown Prince Haakon of Norway said UAE has shown a clear determination to play an active role in defining global solutions to the climate challenge.
"I can assure you that Norway will work with the UAE on the climate agenda and the renewable energy agenda. Both our countries strive to build peace through active diplomacy. Norway holds the chairmanship of the group of donor countries for the support of the Palestinian National Authorities. The UAE plays a very constructive role in this group as one of the major donors to the PA and strong supporter for peaceful settlement of conflicts", he said while addressing Maritime seminar on " Sustainable Maritime Excellence" at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi yesterday
He said that UAE is not a new business partner for Norway, but it is becoming significantly more important for Norwegian exports and investments
"We have come with the ambition to further expand relations between UAE and Norway by engaging in a broader dialogue comprising both political issues and stronger commercial ties"
The Norwegian Minister of Petroleum and Energy, the Minister of Trade and Industry and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs are here with me. We have come here with a distinguished business delegation, comprising representatives of some of the important business sectors and Norwegian companies. One important part is representing the petroleum supply industry and maritime services.
"Norwegian companies have been represented in this region for a long time - among them are Jotun Paints, Wilhelmsen ship service and DNV, the global certification company. These companies are Norwegian of origin with Norwegian expertise, ethics and philosophy, they have however become global. They contribute to investment, income and employment - not only in Norway, but also here in the UAE. Hence, the UAE is not a new business partner for Norway, but it is becoming significantly more important for Norwegian exports and investments. We have come with the ambition to further expand relations between UAE and Norway by engaging in a broader dialogue comprising both political issues and stronger commercial ties", he pointed out.
HRH Haakon observed that UAE and Norway share several common traits. As petroleum exporters our importance is out of proportion greater than our geographical size or measured by our populations. As petroleum producing countries we share an obligation towards the environment.
"We find ourselves in climate zones with the opposite denominator. We are both large consumers of energy - for heating and for cooling respectively. We also set aside petroleum revenues for future generations through our Sovereign Wealth Funds. We share a common interest to find ways to produce and consume energy in an environmentally sustainable manner. We seek to diversify our economies and have understood that our human resources are our best capital to this end. We are both coastal nations with long seafaring and shipbuilding traditions. Fish has served as a staple food to sustain livelihood for centuries".
Norway has built on its expertise in the marine sector and has become one of the largest exporters of seafood. Since oil-production started in the North Sea 40 years ago, Norway has gone through rapid economic and social development. Large revenues from petroleum production have given us choices we could not previously envisage. Norway can now boast one of the world's largest Sovereign Wealth Funds after those of the UAE.
"Both the UAE and Norway have escaped poverty, and can today enjoy the fruits of prosperity. This affluent position calls upon us to share with those less affluent. We both have an ambition to assist those in need through humanitarian aid and development assistance, like in Afghanistan and Haiti", he remarked.
Due to the common challenges we face, time has come to strengthen our relations further. There might be areas where we do not share the same views. Therefore, we should create and use opportunities to discuss and explain our views. Only then can we strengthen our relationship further.
"We discussed this in Oslo where I had the opportunity to meet with HH Foreign Minister, Sheikh Abdullah. He visited Norway on our national day last year. He campaigned for the UAE candidature to host the International Renewable Energy Agency. Allow me to congratulate His Highness, your very able Foreign Minister, and the UAE for securing the secretariat of IRENA to Abu Dhabi. The UAE has shown a clear determination to play an active role in defining global solutions to the climate challenge. Then, I was also informed about the MASDAR-project, which is both courageous and visionary. Being very concerned about how we as petroleum-producing countries should address the climate challenge, I find that the UAE has taken a lead by launching the MASDAR-project".
Our two Foreign Ministers met recently here in Abu Dhabi and found common ground on several issues. We will be looking forward to working closer with the UAE with the purpose of sharing insights and analysis on several international issues.
On a closing note I want to salute the achievements of this young country, the United Arab Emirates. I want to acknowledge the vision of your father, Sheikh Zayed, to live in a peaceful and prosperous country. I want to congratulate you with your successes as a country in such a short time span.
We are delighted to be here in the UAE and in Abu Dhabi. This meeting and the following seminars here at the Emirates Palace are good opportunities to share experiences, inspire each other and to increase cooperation.
On this Occasion Ali Obaid Al-Yabhouni, General Manager National Gas Shipping Company Ltd. (NGSCO) and Abu Dhabi National Tanker Co ( ADNATCO) said that despite our distance, the UAE and Norway share a common heritage; namely a seafaring tradition and the willingness to reach out to distant people across oceans. Oceans do not divide us - indeed, they unite us.
"For the UAE as a whole, Norway is a key commercial and strategic partner. At international energy meetings, we regularly discuss energy policy with Norwegian government officials. Even though Norway is not an OPEC member, it is encouraging how close our thinking coincides on all key issues. Both countries are important energy producers, united by the belief that energy is a valuable commodity to be used responsibly and also conserved for the benefit of future generations".
As seafaring nations with long coastal boundaries we are also united by a deep respect for the marine environment. As you know, the UAE has taken a leading role in promoting a carbon-free world and at ADNATCO-NGSCO we are playing our part in ensuring that our business is conducted in a sustainable and environmentally-friendly manner. In our vessels, we take steps to optimise fuel use, take great care with managing our ballast water and use environmentally-friendly paints. We believe that by taking these small steps, we can contribute to a more sustainable future for ourselves and our children, he pointed out.
"Of course, we are also united in business. When people who do not know ADNATCO-NGSCO ask me about the Company, I always start by telling them about our LNG vessels and their 'Kvaerner Moss-Rosenberg' tanks, on which we depend to transport Abu Dhabi's natural gas to international markets. As you can see, Norwegian technology is at the heart of our business. But more than technology, we have people: Norwegian seafarers play key roles within our Company, both as senior management in our head office and as officers at sea. Their professionalism is outstanding and they have all played an important part in the creation of one of the Gulf region's leading shipping companies".
He said that many of you know our history: between 1994 and 1997, we took delivery of eight LNG tankers, half of which were managed by Norway's Golar Shipping. In December 2008, after more than a decade of a successful partnership with Golar, ADNATCO-NGSCO took over full management of its LNG tanker fleet.
In today's maritime industry, Norwegian companies play a key role as suppliers of a wide range of goods and services and I am glad to see many of them represented here today.
"ADNOC and its Group of Companies is one of the world's leading integrated oil companies, whose business spans the entire hydrocarbon value chain, including shipping. ADNATCO-NGSCO, the shipping arm of ADNOC, is set to embark on a major expansion and I would like to use this opportunity to update you on our plans. Over the next 18 months, our tanker division will grow substantially. In recent months, we have taken delivery of a newly-converted bulk carrier and a products tanker. Our fleet will be further strengthened with the arrival of 15 new vessels including Panamax and Aframax tankers, Bulk Carriers and a Container Vessel. When the last vessel is delivered in September 2011, we will be one of the Gulf region's leading shipping companies, fully managed by a national company".
Our rapid growth in such a short time represents a major challenge, but one that we have embraced with commitment and enthusiasm. With the continuous support of our mother company ADNOC we have strengthened our management and streamlined procedures to ensure that our fleet and our clients are guaranteed the best possible service and support.
And, over the coming years, we look forward to working ever more closely with our Norwegian friends and partners, he concluded. – Emirates News Agency, WAM
"I can assure you that Norway will work with the UAE on the climate agenda and the renewable energy agenda. Both our countries strive to build peace through active diplomacy. Norway holds the chairmanship of the group of donor countries for the support of the Palestinian National Authorities. The UAE plays a very constructive role in this group as one of the major donors to the PA and strong supporter for peaceful settlement of conflicts", he said while addressing Maritime seminar on " Sustainable Maritime Excellence" at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi yesterday
He said that UAE is not a new business partner for Norway, but it is becoming significantly more important for Norwegian exports and investments
"We have come with the ambition to further expand relations between UAE and Norway by engaging in a broader dialogue comprising both political issues and stronger commercial ties"
The Norwegian Minister of Petroleum and Energy, the Minister of Trade and Industry and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs are here with me. We have come here with a distinguished business delegation, comprising representatives of some of the important business sectors and Norwegian companies. One important part is representing the petroleum supply industry and maritime services.
"Norwegian companies have been represented in this region for a long time - among them are Jotun Paints, Wilhelmsen ship service and DNV, the global certification company. These companies are Norwegian of origin with Norwegian expertise, ethics and philosophy, they have however become global. They contribute to investment, income and employment - not only in Norway, but also here in the UAE. Hence, the UAE is not a new business partner for Norway, but it is becoming significantly more important for Norwegian exports and investments. We have come with the ambition to further expand relations between UAE and Norway by engaging in a broader dialogue comprising both political issues and stronger commercial ties", he pointed out.
HRH Haakon observed that UAE and Norway share several common traits. As petroleum exporters our importance is out of proportion greater than our geographical size or measured by our populations. As petroleum producing countries we share an obligation towards the environment.
"We find ourselves in climate zones with the opposite denominator. We are both large consumers of energy - for heating and for cooling respectively. We also set aside petroleum revenues for future generations through our Sovereign Wealth Funds. We share a common interest to find ways to produce and consume energy in an environmentally sustainable manner. We seek to diversify our economies and have understood that our human resources are our best capital to this end. We are both coastal nations with long seafaring and shipbuilding traditions. Fish has served as a staple food to sustain livelihood for centuries".
Norway has built on its expertise in the marine sector and has become one of the largest exporters of seafood. Since oil-production started in the North Sea 40 years ago, Norway has gone through rapid economic and social development. Large revenues from petroleum production have given us choices we could not previously envisage. Norway can now boast one of the world's largest Sovereign Wealth Funds after those of the UAE.
"Both the UAE and Norway have escaped poverty, and can today enjoy the fruits of prosperity. This affluent position calls upon us to share with those less affluent. We both have an ambition to assist those in need through humanitarian aid and development assistance, like in Afghanistan and Haiti", he remarked.
Due to the common challenges we face, time has come to strengthen our relations further. There might be areas where we do not share the same views. Therefore, we should create and use opportunities to discuss and explain our views. Only then can we strengthen our relationship further.
"We discussed this in Oslo where I had the opportunity to meet with HH Foreign Minister, Sheikh Abdullah. He visited Norway on our national day last year. He campaigned for the UAE candidature to host the International Renewable Energy Agency. Allow me to congratulate His Highness, your very able Foreign Minister, and the UAE for securing the secretariat of IRENA to Abu Dhabi. The UAE has shown a clear determination to play an active role in defining global solutions to the climate challenge. Then, I was also informed about the MASDAR-project, which is both courageous and visionary. Being very concerned about how we as petroleum-producing countries should address the climate challenge, I find that the UAE has taken a lead by launching the MASDAR-project".
Our two Foreign Ministers met recently here in Abu Dhabi and found common ground on several issues. We will be looking forward to working closer with the UAE with the purpose of sharing insights and analysis on several international issues.
On a closing note I want to salute the achievements of this young country, the United Arab Emirates. I want to acknowledge the vision of your father, Sheikh Zayed, to live in a peaceful and prosperous country. I want to congratulate you with your successes as a country in such a short time span.
We are delighted to be here in the UAE and in Abu Dhabi. This meeting and the following seminars here at the Emirates Palace are good opportunities to share experiences, inspire each other and to increase cooperation.
On this Occasion Ali Obaid Al-Yabhouni, General Manager National Gas Shipping Company Ltd. (NGSCO) and Abu Dhabi National Tanker Co ( ADNATCO) said that despite our distance, the UAE and Norway share a common heritage; namely a seafaring tradition and the willingness to reach out to distant people across oceans. Oceans do not divide us - indeed, they unite us.
"For the UAE as a whole, Norway is a key commercial and strategic partner. At international energy meetings, we regularly discuss energy policy with Norwegian government officials. Even though Norway is not an OPEC member, it is encouraging how close our thinking coincides on all key issues. Both countries are important energy producers, united by the belief that energy is a valuable commodity to be used responsibly and also conserved for the benefit of future generations".
As seafaring nations with long coastal boundaries we are also united by a deep respect for the marine environment. As you know, the UAE has taken a leading role in promoting a carbon-free world and at ADNATCO-NGSCO we are playing our part in ensuring that our business is conducted in a sustainable and environmentally-friendly manner. In our vessels, we take steps to optimise fuel use, take great care with managing our ballast water and use environmentally-friendly paints. We believe that by taking these small steps, we can contribute to a more sustainable future for ourselves and our children, he pointed out.
"Of course, we are also united in business. When people who do not know ADNATCO-NGSCO ask me about the Company, I always start by telling them about our LNG vessels and their 'Kvaerner Moss-Rosenberg' tanks, on which we depend to transport Abu Dhabi's natural gas to international markets. As you can see, Norwegian technology is at the heart of our business. But more than technology, we have people: Norwegian seafarers play key roles within our Company, both as senior management in our head office and as officers at sea. Their professionalism is outstanding and they have all played an important part in the creation of one of the Gulf region's leading shipping companies".
He said that many of you know our history: between 1994 and 1997, we took delivery of eight LNG tankers, half of which were managed by Norway's Golar Shipping. In December 2008, after more than a decade of a successful partnership with Golar, ADNATCO-NGSCO took over full management of its LNG tanker fleet.
In today's maritime industry, Norwegian companies play a key role as suppliers of a wide range of goods and services and I am glad to see many of them represented here today.
"ADNOC and its Group of Companies is one of the world's leading integrated oil companies, whose business spans the entire hydrocarbon value chain, including shipping. ADNATCO-NGSCO, the shipping arm of ADNOC, is set to embark on a major expansion and I would like to use this opportunity to update you on our plans. Over the next 18 months, our tanker division will grow substantially. In recent months, we have taken delivery of a newly-converted bulk carrier and a products tanker. Our fleet will be further strengthened with the arrival of 15 new vessels including Panamax and Aframax tankers, Bulk Carriers and a Container Vessel. When the last vessel is delivered in September 2011, we will be one of the Gulf region's leading shipping companies, fully managed by a national company".
Our rapid growth in such a short time represents a major challenge, but one that we have embraced with commitment and enthusiasm. With the continuous support of our mother company ADNOC we have strengthened our management and streamlined procedures to ensure that our fleet and our clients are guaranteed the best possible service and support.
And, over the coming years, we look forward to working ever more closely with our Norwegian friends and partners, he concluded. – Emirates News Agency, WAM
