'Energy security has direct impact on sustainable development'

Members of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) said Wednesday that energy security has direct impact on sustainable development at national, regional and global levels and the well-being of people in all countries.

In a declaration issued after the two-day fourth CICA summit held in Shanghai, member states vowed their commitment to further promoting and reinforcing energy security "in line with the concept of sustainable development and eradication of poverty as set out in the final outcome of Rio+20 by taking into account the diversified national priorities and needs of all countries, developing countries in particular."

"We believe that diversification of energy sources and the routes of their delivery will increase competitiveness of international energy markets," read the declaration.

The international community should, on the basis of the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities," further promote and reinforce energy security featuring mutually beneficial cooperation and diversified forms of development, particularly in developing nations, aimed at sustaining economic and social development, the CICA members stressed.

"Countries should also step up research and promotion of advanced energy technologies, including fossil fuel, take actions, as appropriate, to develop joint infrastructure projects and ensure necessary level of investments in productive capacities, as well as vigorously develop economically efficient and environmentally sound energy resources," according to the joint declaration.

Meanwhile, the CICA members reaffirmed their commitment to non-proliferation, disarmament and peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

"We support the objective of the global and total elimination of nuclear weapons and strengthening in all respects the nuclear non-proliferation regime based on the principles of non-discrimination, equal, indivisible and undiminished security for all states," the member countries said in the declaration.

Also, the CICA welcomes the nuclear-weapon-free status of Central Asia, and supports "the establishment of a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and All Weapons of Mass Destruction."

The members of the CICA, meanwhile, vowed support for the inalienable right of all states to develop and use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, including power generation, with due respect to their non-proliferation obligations and commitments emanating from agreements.