Australian Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen will travel to India and Saudi Arabia this week with the intentions of strengthening Australia’s fuel security and working with international partners on global energy security.
In India, Mr Bowen will meet with ministerial counterparts and visit the Jamnagar oil refinery in Gujarat, the world’s largest oil refinery.
He will also convene a roundtable with clean energy industry representatives and deliver a key speech on electrification ahead of COP31 underscoring the importance of renewables to future global energy security and making all nations more resilient to the supply and price shocks of international disruptions.
Mr Bowen will then travel to Saudi Arabia for direct meetings with Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud about the evolving situation overseas, including the closure of the East-West pipeline, and its implications for global energy security.
He will visit King Abdullah University of Science and Technology’s Centre of Excellence for Renewable Energy and Storage Technologies, highlighting the importance of electrification in future energy security, a key priority for COP31.
Mr Bowen says Australia’s ongoing engagement with the world will help to deliver energy security both at home and abroad, enhanced through its role in leading negotiations at COP31.
“What we’re seeing in the Middle East is deeply concerning, and it’s more important than ever that Australia engages with other nations on global energy security and fuel security back home, in our national interest,” he says.
“That’s why this week I will travel first to India, where I will meet Minister Yadav and visit the Jamnagar oil refinery in Gujarat, before travelling to Saudi Arabia for direct discussions with Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud.
“Australia’s fuel supply remains secure and our strong relationships with international partners are an essential part of that work.”
