In November, the REEEP International Secretariat opened offices in the UNIDO International Centre in Vienna. The UK and Austrian Governments are co-ordinating the activities of the secretariat to facilitate the development of the REEEP as a global partnership. Partners have also been contributing to this process through consultation, regional meetings and a REEEP Advisory Board.
The REEEP is currently executing phase 3 of the UN Type II process:
- Consultation. The secretariat convened two expert workshops in February and March 2003 to review barriers to investment in REES. The first discussed best practices on financing and mechanisms for attracting investment for REES, the second focused on power sector reform and the implications for REES. Conclusions were drawn on best practice in financing, policy and regulatory issues. Further consultation was carried out during a number of international meetings, including at the Commission for Sustainable Development (New York, April 2003) and at the Environment for Europe Conference (Kiev, May 2003).
- Elaboration. The REEEP convened nine regional expert meetings during the summer of 2003, covering Central and Eastern Europe, South East Asia, South Asia, East Asia, Western Africa, Eastern Africa, Southern Africa, Latin America, and North America. These meetings brought prospective partners together to agree the work programme of the Partnership and scope out potential for regional collaborative actions and initiatives that work to accelerate the development of REES at the national level.
- Implementation. A common plan of work for REEEP was agreed by the partners and their commitment was expressed at the REEEP Global Launch in London on October 23rd 2003. Funding for year two of the REEEP has been committed by Austria, the EU, Netherlands, Spain and the UK.