"Tentative Announcement"
Energy Security in the Middle East and the Gulf Region
Geo-politics, Security Challenges and Sustainable Supplies
(Amman) – July 6 to 7, 2011

Energy is one of the important factors which contributed to developing the civilization of mankind. Growth of nations highly depends on the existence of energy resources within (and/or) the availability of fuel supplies from abroad. The obstruction of fuel supplies represents a serious obstacle against achieving development goals and sustainable growth. Without a tangible guarantee of sustained fuel supplies and secured energy resources, global economy will be highly vulnerable.

To many, energy security is associated with secure fuel and gas supplies as well devising new shipping routes. In our view, a comprehensive energy security system has to take into consideration root causes of existing instabilities and possible means of dealing/managing with them. Achieving energy security is a collective effort that should utilize the positive contribution of all protagonists. The organizers firmly believe that regional and international institutions should have an important role in maintaining and contributing to a sustainable regime of energy security via public diplomacy avenues.

Energy and water are deeply intertwined (interdependent). Energy is increasingly being used to generate water supplies via drilling and desalinization. In many regional contexts, a sustainable energy resource is becoming a prerequisite to achieving water security. The absence of energy means restricted water circulation and even minimal wastewater recycling. This interdependence will be examined by participants in the meeting.

The meeting will likely focus on several tracks, including (but not restricted) to the following:

• Analyzing security threats in the Middle East
• Devising new fuel distribution and transportation alternatives in the Middle East and the Gulf region
• The impact of conflicts on oil prices, insurance premiums and shipping costs
• Promote intra-state cooperation in the field of "Energy Security"
• Obstacles facing achieving energy security (state actors and non-state actors)
• Alternative transportation routes, the impact/role of regional geo-politics
• Alternative energy resources - feasibility and applicability
• Role of regional/international organizations and multilateral diplomacy (development of cooperative pattern)
• Physical protection of petroleum facilities and strategic energy sources
• The impact of growing piracy in the horn of Africa
• 50 Years of petroleum policy – analyzing OPEC's role and achievements.

Organizations and individuals interested in participating are encouraged to write to the meeting committee. For additional information, send your queries to:
Conference Committee

Tel +962 79 5569317
Fax +962 6 5345085
Amman - Jordan
email info@acsis.org