24 September 2010: Össur Skarphéðinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade of Iceland, told the UN General Assembly (UNGA) that geothermal energy could prove to be an important component of the renewable energy mix poor counties.

Addressing the Assembly’s annual high-level segment, Skarphéðinsson indicated his Government’s willingness to assist poor countries by providing expertise on geothermal energy production, but that financing must be made available to ensure their access to the geothermal energy technology needed. He noted that geothermal can make a significant contribution to climate change mitigation. He specifically noted that in East Africa, where Iceland has agreements to provide technical assistance in tapping unused geothermal potential, the technology could be used to reduce energy poverty without increasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. [UN Press Release] [Skarphéðinsson’s Statement]