Background
The Renewable Energy in the Americas (REIA)
Initiative was created in 1992 by a consortium of U.S., Latin American,
and Caribbean interests to advance sustainable solutions--particularly
renewable energy and energy efficiency--for meeting the growing energy
needs of the Hemisphere. During the 1994 REIA Conference and Exhibition
held in Puerto Rico, various governments from the Latin American and
Caribbean (LAC) region, joined with the U.S. Export Council for
Renewable Energy (US/ECRE) in setting forth an agenda for formal
collaboration in renewable energy and energy efficiency. This consisted
of the signing of the
REIA Declaration (by 16 countries) and the
establishment of the REIA Working Group. The Working Group is composed
of a focal point from each of the various participating countries and
helps to set the priorities for REIA.
The objectives of the REIA Initiative
are fourfold:
(1) To identify and promote viable
renewable energy and energy efficiency project opportunities in the LAC
region;
(2) To promote policy measures that
will advance the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency
technologies;
(3) To develop and assist in accessing
innovative financing mechanisms suited to the technical characteristics
of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies and appropriate
to the social and economic needs of the demographically diverse
end-users; and
(4) to provide technical assistance and
training on matters related to sustainable energy development.
REIA was transferred to the DSD/OAS in
1998 in order to provide better service to the countries of the LAC
region. The DSD/OAS plays an important role in the follow up to, and
preparations for the Summits of the Americas. This summit process, which
seeks to encourage sustainable development and environmental protection
throughout LAC, offers further expansion of the scope of the REIA
Initiative. |