Access to food-water-energy is an important factor for development:Al-Herbish addresses delegates at international conference in Cairo

Vienna, Austria, March 17, 2015. The Director-General of the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID), Mr Suleiman J Al-Herbish, has stressed that access to food, clean water and modern energy services is critical for nations to achieve their development goals.

Al-Herbish delivered the above statement at the opening session of the Fifth International Conference of the Arab Federation for Sustainable Development and the Environment, in Cairo, Egypt. The conference brought together Egyptian Government ministers, the Arab League, Arab scientists and academia, and development institutions. OFID was the main sponsor of the event.

Al-Herbish highlighted the potential of Egypt in achieving its development goals through securing its food, water and energy resources. He also mentioned OFID's contribution toward these goals and the high importance of Egypt in OFID’s portfolio.

OFID’s overall commitment to addressing the water-food-energy nexus was demonstrated through investments made in various projects relating to the nexus, and in associated sectors such as transportation, said Al-Herbish.

Al-Herbish also touched upon OFID’s programs to fight energy poverty. He said that OFID had supported innovative solutions with additional benefits such as environmental protection and mitigation of climate change. These included wind power, solar cell and hydropower plants, as well as micro-hybrid projects, in numerous developing countries. In addition, OFID was also financing the production and distribution of clean cookstoves, which helped preserve the environment and reduce health problems associated with inhaling noxious fumes.

“We in OFID believe that in the future renewable energy will have a crucial role in the energy supply system, which is characterized by multiple sources and positive environmental benefits. But at the same time, we believe that development in poor countries must not wait until renewable energy sources play a full role,” stated Al-Herbish.

Prior to attending the Cairo conference, Al-Herbish also participated in the Egypt Economic Development Conference in Sharm el-Sheikh, March 13-15. This event brought together leading international figures from the worlds of business, finance and politics to discuss the future of Egypt’s political landscape and economic growth.