1. Declaration of Santo Domingo for the Sustainable Development of the Americas. OEA/Ser.K/XVIII.2,
CIDI/RIMDS-II/DEC.1/10. We adopt the following action initiatives: [...] 1. Declaration of Santo
Paragraph 32: To [...] promote access to [...] energy efficient technologies and practices in households
and in the public and private sectors.
Paragraph 33: To foster partnership in the promotion of the use of cleaner, more efficient, renewable
and non-renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, and energy interconnection schemes, inter alia,
through the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA) [...], considering the needs and
particular priorities of each of our countries.
Paragraph 43: To continue to strengthen the exchange of information, experiences, and lessons learned
in member states on [...] sustainable energy, [...] climate change adaptation, and policies, strategies and
legal and institutional frameworks on sustainable development, through inter-American networks
established in the framework of the OAS on these issues.
2. Follow-up and implementation of the mandates of the Declaration of Commitment of Port of Spain
of the Fifth Summit of the Americas AG/RES. 2634 (XLI-O/11). “The General Assembly [...] Resolves: [...]
To urge member states and to request the General Secretariat to continue to implement, promote, and
disseminate the mandates set forth in the Declaration of Commitment of Port of Spain of the Fifth
Summit of the Americas.”
3. Declaration of Commitment of Port of Spain. Securing Our Citizens’ Future by Promoting Human
Prosperity, Energy Security and Environmental Sustainability. Fifth Summit of the Americas, Port of
Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, 2009.
a. Paragraph 4: We [...] renew our commitment to all the peoples of the Americas to improve the
quality of their lives by strengthening inter-American cooperation and [...] to promote adequate and
sustainable access to energy [...].
b. Paragraph 13: [...] Subject to the domestic laws of each country, we will continue to promote
diversified economic activity in the energy, transport, tourism, communications, services, financial
services and agricultural sectors. [...]
c. Paragraph 45: We recognise that energy is an essential resource for improving the standard of living
of our peoples and that access to energy is of paramount importance to economic growth with equity
and social inclusion. [...]
d. Paragraph 47: [...] [w]e will foster energy efficiency and conservation. [...]
e. Paragraph 48: we will strive to foster investment and innovation in the development and
diversification of energy sources and of efficient and environmentally friendly technologies, including
cleaner technologies for the production of fossil fuels.
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f. Paragraph 49: We recognise the potential of new, emerging, and environmentally friendly
technologies for diversifying the energy matrix and the creation of jobs. [...]
g. Paragraph 50: We will encourage the development of diverse renewable energy sources and
technologies. We will develop national strategies [...] to promote the science-based development and
use of increasingly advanced technologies for sustainable energy production [...].
h. Paragraph 51: We will [...] encourage investment in the development and scaling-up of renewable
and non-renewable energy, energy integration projects, new, efficient energy generation, including
storage and energy sharing systems, crossborder transportation and distribution systems and other
energy-trading and cooperation networks.
i. Paragraph 51: [...] [w]e will continue to promote cleaner energy [...].Priority should be given to the
sharing of information and experiences, and to increasing international cooperation and the fostering of
domestic enabling environments to support clean energy technologies that could benefit all our nations.
j. Paragraph 56: [...] [w]e instruct our Ministers or pertinent national authorities, in a spirit of
partnership, to develop cooperation strategies that will promote access for our people to reliable,
efficient, affordable and clean energy, especially for the poorest sectors, and foster sharing of lessons
learned and experiences, with a view to increasing energy efficiency, diversifying energy sources and
minimizing environmental impact, with the support of the institutions of the Joint Summit Working
Group (JSWG) and other relevant international and regional organisations, within the scope of their
mandates, as well as the private sector, as appropriate. To this end, we will convene a meeting as a first
step toward the development of an implementation plan for this initiative, as well as other energy
action items arising from this Declaration, for the consideration and approval of Ministers or pertinent
national authorities. We further instruct Ministers or pertinent national authorities to submit a progress
report on the implementation of this initiative by the next Summit of the Americas.
k. Paragraph 58: “We recognize the adverse impacts of climate change on all countries of the
Hemisphere [...]. We reaffirm our commitment to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC) and its objectives of achieving stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the
atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate
system. [...].”
4. Paragraph 21 of the Plan of Action of the First Summit of the Americas held in Miami in 1994. “[The]
Governments will […] pursue, in accordance with national legislation, least cost national energy
strategies that consider all options, including energy efficiency, non-conventional renewable energy (i.e.,
solar, wind, geothermal, small hydro, and biomass), and conventional energy resources.”
5. Declaration of Panama: Energy for Sustainable Development, AG/DEC. 52 (XXXVII-O/07), 5 June
2007.
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a. Paragraph 23: “The Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Heads of Delegation of the Member States of the
Organization of American States (OAS), [...] declare […] [t]heir request to the General Secretariat [...] to:
continue to promote instructional and training programs for relevant actors in the public and private
energy sectors and [...] maintain, update, and distribute a registry of specialists of the member states
who [...] can offer cooperation on energy matters; and support regional dialogue for the creation and
strengthening of markets and the promotion of energy efficiency and conservation for sustainable
development.”
b. Paragraph 13: “The Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Heads of Delegation of the Member States of the
Organization of American States (OAS) [...] declare […] “[t]heir recognition of energy integration efforts,
including existing experiences, and continued progress in the integration of energy systems and
networks, and in the study of the possibility of harmonizing regulations among member states, in order
to promote sustainable development and the more efficient and rational use of energy resources and
increased marketing of energy products and services among said states.”
6. Strategic Plan for Partnership for Integral Development 2006-2009 Adopted by the General
Assembly at the fourth plenary session, held on June 6, 2006 (AG/RES. 2201 (XXXVI-O/06).
“Sustainable development has been highlighted as a priority of member states in the Inter-American
Committee on Sustainable Development (CIDS) and the Inter-American Program for Sustainable
Development (PIDS), and consequently, efforts will be concentrated in the following actions: […]
Promoting policy and regulatory measures to advance the use of renewable energy and energyefficiency technologies in the Americas; Developing and 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; Identifying and
promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency project opportunities in the Americas; and Sharing
information on renewable energy and energy efficient technologies and delivering technical assistance
and training on matters related to sustainable energy development. […].”
7. Article 95, Chapter XIII, Charter of the Organization of American States. “[...] [t]he CIDI shall […]
promote, coordinate, and assign responsibility for the execution of development programs and projects
to the subsidiary bodies and relevant organizations, on the basis of the priorities identified by the
Member States, in areas such as […] economic and social development, including trade, tourism,
integration and the environment.”
8. AG/RES. 2253 (XXXVI-O/06) Support for the Use of New and Renewable Energy Sources. “The
General Assembly […] resolves: […] To request the General Secretariat to support [...] member states’
efforts to develop sustainable energy plans and to implement measures that foster greater use of clean
conventional energy and commercially viable renewable energy, such as wind, geothermal, biofuel,
hydroelectric, and solar energy, as well as to adopt policies designed to achieve greater energy
efficiency, as a means of better addressing the challenges associated with economic growth and the
environment […].”
3|Page
9. Article 15, Chapter III, Inter-American Democratic Charter. “[…] It is essential that the states of the
Hemisphere implement policies and strategies to protect the environment, including application of
various treaties and conventions, to achieve sustainable development for the benefit of future
generations.”
10. AG/RES. 2253 (XXXVI-O/06) Support for the Use of New and Renewable Energy Sources. “The
General Assembly […] resolves: […] To enhance cooperation between the Organization of American
States […] and other international and regional organizations in order to: a. Implement renewable
energy measures and energy efficiency projects that lower dependence on fossil fuels while promoting
the development and efficient use of local natural resources to produce fuels for electricity generation
and transportation; and b. Promote increased provision of novel energy services to neglected
communities, particularly rural and indigenous communities, as a means of promoting economic
development, sustainable management of natural resources, and capacity to deliver community
services, including education, health, and agricultural extension services. […].”
Paragraph 32: To [...] promote access to [...] energy efficient technologies and practices in households
and in the public and private sectors.
Paragraph 33: To foster partnership in the promotion of the use of cleaner, more efficient, renewable
and non-renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, and energy interconnection schemes, inter alia,
through the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA) [...], considering the needs and
particular priorities of each of our countries.
Paragraph 43: To continue to strengthen the exchange of information, experiences, and lessons learned
in member states on [...] sustainable energy, [...] climate change adaptation, and policies, strategies and
legal and institutional frameworks on sustainable development, through inter-American networks
established in the framework of the OAS on these issues.
11. Follow-up and implementation of the mandates of the Declaration of Commitment of Port of Spain
of the Fifth Summit of the Americas AG/RES. 2634 (XLI-O/11). “The General Assembly [...] Resolves: [...]
To urge member states and to request the General Secretariat to continue to implement, promote, and
disseminate the mandates set forth in the Declaration of Commitment of Port of Spain of the Fifth
Summit of the Americas.”
12. Declaration of Commitment of Port of Spain. Securing Our Citizens’ Future by Promoting Human
Prosperity, Energy Security and Environmental Sustainability. Fifth Summit of the Americas, Port of
Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, 2009.
a. Paragraph 4: We [...] renew our commitment to all the peoples of the Americas to improve the
quality of their lives by strengthening inter-American cooperation and [...] to promote adequate and
sustainable access to energy [...].
4|Page
b. Paragraph 13: [...] Subject to the domestic laws of each country, we will continue to promote
diversified economic activity in the energy, transport, tourism, communications, services, financial
services and agricultural sectors. [...]
c. Paragraph 45: We recognise that energy is an essential resource for improving the standard of living
of our peoples and that access to energy is of paramount importance to economic growth with equity
and social inclusion. [...]
d. Paragraph 47: [...] [w]e will foster energy efficiency and conservation. [...]
e. Paragraph 48: we will strive to foster investment and innovation in the development and
diversification of energy sources and of efficient and environmentally friendly technologies, including
cleaner technologies for the production of fossil fuels.
f. Paragraph 49: We recognise the potential of new, emerging, and environmentally friendly
technologies for diversifying the energy matrix and the creation of jobs. [...]
g. Paragraph 50: We will encourage the development of diverse renewable energy sources and
technologies. We will develop national strategies [...] to promote the science-based development and
use of increasingly advanced technologies for sustainable energy production [...].
h. Paragraph 51: We will [...] encourage investment in the development and scaling-up of renewable
and non-renewable energy, energy integration projects, new, efficient energy generation, including
storage and energy sharing systems, crossborder transportation and distribution systems and other
energy-trading and cooperation networks.
i. Paragraph 51: [...] [w]e will continue to promote cleaner energy [...].Priority should be given to the
sharing of information and experiences, and to increasing international cooperation and the fostering of
domestic enabling environments to support clean energy technologies that could benefit all our nations.
j. Paragraph 56: [...] [w]e instruct our Ministers or pertinent national authorities, in a spirit of
partnership, to develop cooperation strategies that will promote access for our people to reliable,
efficient, affordable and clean energy, especially for the poorest sectors, and foster sharing of lessons
learned and experiences, with a view to increasing energy efficiency, diversifying energy sources and
minimizing environmental impact, with the support of the institutions of the Joint Summit Working
Group (JSWG) and other relevant international and regional organisations, within the scope of their
mandates, as well as the private sector, as appropriate. To this end, we will convene a meeting as a first
step toward the development of an implementation plan for this initiative, as well as other energy
action items arising from this Declaration, for the consideration and approval of Ministers or pertinent
national authorities. We further instruct Ministers or pertinent national authorities to submit a progress
report on the implementation of this initiative by the next Summit of the Americas.
5|Page
k. Paragraph 58: “We recognize the adverse impacts of climate change on all countries of the
Hemisphere [...]. We reaffirm our commitment to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC) and its objectives of achieving stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the
atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate
system. [...].”
13. Paragraph 21 of the Plan of Action of the First Summit of the Americas held in Miami in 1994.
“[The] Governments will […] pursue, in accordance with national legislation, least cost national energy
strategies that consider all options, including energy efficiency, non-conventional renewable energy (i.e.,
solar, wind, geothermal, small hydro, and biomass), and conventional energy resources.”
14. Declaration of Panama: Energy for Sustainable Development, AG/DEC. 52 (XXXVII-O/07), 5 June
2007.
a. Paragraph 23: “The Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Heads of Delegation of the Member States of the
Organization of American States (OAS), [...] declare […] [t]heir request to the General Secretariat [...] to:
continue to promote instructional and training programs for relevant actors in the public and private
energy sectors and [...] maintain, update, and distribute a registry of specialists of the member states
who [...] can offer cooperation on energy matters; and support regional dialogue for the creation and
strengthening of markets and the promotion of energy efficiency and conservation for sustainable
development.”
b. Paragraph 13: “The Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Heads of Delegation of the Member States of the
Organization of American States (OAS) [...] declare […] “[t]heir recognition of energy integration efforts,
including existing experiences, and continued progress in the integration of energy systems and
networks, and in the study of the possibility of harmonizing regulations among member states, in order
to promote sustainable development and the more efficient and rational use of energy resources and
increased marketing of energy products and services among said states.”
15. Strategic Plan for Partnership for Integral Development 2006-2009 Adopted by the General
Assembly at the fourth plenary session, held on June 6, 2006 (AG/RES. 2201 (XXXVI-O/06).
“Sustainable development has been highlighted as a priority of member states in the Inter-American
Committee on Sustainable Development (CIDS) and the Inter-American Program for Sustainable
Development (PIDS), and consequently, efforts will be concentrated in the following actions: […]
Promoting policy and regulatory measures to advance the use of renewable energy and energyefficiency technologies in the Americas; Developing and 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; Identifying and
promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency project opportunities in the Americas; and Sharing
information on renewable energy and energy efficient technologies and delivering technical assistance
and training on matters related to sustainable energy development. […].”
6|Page
16. Article 95, Chapter XIII, Charter of the Organization of American States. “[...] [t]he CIDI shall […]
promote, coordinate, and assign responsibility for the execution of development programs and projects
to the subsidiary bodies and relevant organizations, on the basis of the priorities identified by the
Member States, in areas such as […] economic and social development, including trade, tourism,
integration and the environment.”
17. AG/RES. 2253 (XXXVI-O/06) Support for the Use of New and Renewable Energy Sources. “The
General Assembly […] resolves: […] To request the General Secretariat to support [...] member states’
efforts to develop sustainable energy plans and to implement measures that foster greater use of clean
conventional energy and commercially viable renewable energy, such as wind, geothermal, biofuel,
hydroelectric, and solar energy, as well as to adopt policies designed to achieve greater energy
efficiency, as a means of better addressing the challenges associated with economic growth and the
environment […].”
18. Article 15, Chapter III, Inter-American Democratic Charter. “[…] It is essential that the states of the
Hemisphere implement policies and strategies to protect the environment, including application of
various treaties and conventions, to achieve sustainable development for the benefit of future
generations.”
19. AG/RES. 2253 (XXXVI-O/06) Support for the Use of New and Renewable Energy Sources. “The
General Assembly […] resolves: […] To enhance cooperation between the Organization of American
States […] and other international and regional organizations in order to: a. Implement renewable
energy measures and energy efficiency projects that lower dependence on fossil fuels while promoting
the development and efficient use of local natural resources to produce fuels for electricity generation
and transportation; and b. Promote increased provision of novel energy services to neglected
communities, particularly rural and indigenous communities, as a means of promoting economic
development, sustainable management of natural resources, and capacity to deliver community
services, including education, health, and agricultural extension services. […].”
7|Page