Over the past few years, energy security and sustainable development have moved up the global agenda. There are two reasons for this: first, the impact of high and often volatile energy prices; second, concerns over environmental sustainability and particularly about the global climate. Both issues are critically important for Asia and the Pacific. To pursue energy security, the countries of the region will want to ensure that energy supplies are available, sufficient, affordable and sustainable. This will mean taking a broad range of measures: conserving and raising energy efficiency; rationalizing pricing and taxation systems; improving energy sector governance; and diversifying energy supplies, in particular making greater use of alternative and renewable resources. Energy-producing and -importing countries also need the appropriate legal frameworks, regulatory environments and systems for pricing and taxation.
