Leaders of Brazil. Russia, India and China (BRIC) on Thursday said that they recognised that energy is an essential resource for improving the standard of living of our peoples and that access to it is of paramount importance to economic growth with equity and social inclusion.
In this regard, they said: "We will aim to develop cleaner, more affordable and sustainable energy systems, to promote access to energy and energy efficient technologies and practices in all sectors."
"We will aim to diversify our energy mix by increasing, where appropriate, the contribution of renewable energy sources, and will encourage the cleaner, more efficient use of fossil fuels and other fuels. In this regard, we reiterate our support to the international cooperation in the field of energy efficiency," they added after deliberating on various issues at the BRIC Summit in Brazil.
"We recognize the potential of new, emerging, and environmentally friendly technologies for diversifying energy mix and the creation of jobs. In this regard we will encourage, as appropriate, the sustainable development, production and use of biofuels," they said in a joint statement.
"In accordance with national priorities, we will work together to facilitate the use of renewable energy, through international cooperation and the sharing of experiences on renewable energy, including biofuels technologies and policies. We believe that BRIC member countries can cooperate in training, R&D, Consultancy services and technology transfer, in the energy sector," they concluded.
Image: Russia's President Dimitry Medvedev (L-R), Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, China's President Hu Jintao and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh join hands during a photocall at Itamaraty Palace in Brasilia. Photograph: Roberto Jayme/Reuters
