Welcome address Ambassador Kozlowski EU-India Biofuels conference 7 March 2018 Hotel Taj Mahal

Transcription

1 Welcome address Ambassador Kozlowski EU-India Biofuels conference 7 March 2018 Hotel Taj Mahal Honourable Minister, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is a great pleasure for me to address today's EU-India conference on advanced biofuels. India is a very important partner for the EU as one of the growing economies that will reshape the global economy in the twenty-first century. Our bilateral trade has more than doubled in the last decade, making the European Union India's number one trade and investment partner. India is also a very important partner for the EU in pursuing effective international efforts to address the challenges of climate change and in the clean energy transformation of the economies of both sides.

2 During their summit meeting in 2016, Prime Minister Modi and the European Leaders agreed to establish the EU- India Clean Energy and Climate Partnership. The partnership brings together all relevant stakeholders: European and Indian institutions, EU member states and Indian states, businesses and civil society. The partnership facilitates policy dialogue, brings best practices, business solutions and joint research and innovation and looks at financing models for clean energy and climate change. The EU is partnering with India on concrete initiatives on the ground, related to: Designing the first offshore wind project off the coast of Gujarat together with MNRE, and liaising with European funders and developers to help make this project a reality, Supporting the roll out of the solar parks programme, by giving concrete assistance on design of solar parks across the country and developing the supporting framework, Implementing the roof-top solar programme,

3 Implementing energy efficiency in buildings legislation in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Bihar, Cooperating with India on Smart Grids, including large scale demonstrations. Other bilateral cooperation priorities which are being developed also include: support to the International Solar Alliance, work on modelling energy scenario's in the framework of our energy security dialogue, work on energy efficiency of products in the frame of Mission Innovation, energy storage, EU India platform for clean energy financing.

4 Regarding financing, I would like to emphasize that the European Investment Bank has already provided loans and credit lines with a value of more than 2 billion to support implementation of energy and climate related projects in India. Cooperation in the field of research and innovation, including on energy, is also an integral part of the EU- India agenda. Indian universities, research institutes, industry and SMEs are eligible for participation in all calls for proposals published in the Horizon 2020 work programmes. On all the topics discussed during this Conference, there are currently cooperation possibilities under that scheme. I would like to highlight one particular call on "Demonstration of cost effective advanced biofuel pathways in industrial installations" which the Department of Biotechnology has agreed to co-fund with European partners. The deadline for this call is 5 April I encourage you to check it out on the Horizon 2020 portal or at the EU's Delegation Website.

5 In conclusion, EU-India partnership testifies that both sides are convinced that stepping up action will provide significant opportunities for modernising our economies, enhancing competitiveness, and ensuring socioeconomic benefits of increased clean energy access. On the topic of today's conference advanced biofuels - you will hear more later on from my colleagues and from the different EU public and private stakeholders who are participating in the conference. So let me finish by welcoming all of you on behalf of the European Union and reassure you that we will take good note of all the outcomes of this conference, which will feed into the future shape of the EU-India clean Energy & Climate partnership. I wish you a successful conference. Thank you for attention.