KSA inks clean energy agreement

Rashid Hassan
US Energy Secretary Rick Perry (L) and Saudi Energy Minister Khaled al-Falih look at documents during a signing ceremony of a memorandum understanding on carbon management between Saudi Arabia and the US, in Riyadh on December 4, 2017. (AFP)

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and the US on Monday signed an agreement to establish a framework for cooperation in the area of clean energy and carbon management.
Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih and visiting US Energy Secretary Rick Perry signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) after a US-Saudi energy meeting held in Riyadh.
Later in the day King Salman received Perry at Al-Yamamah Palace and reviewed bilateral relations, prospects of cooperation and ways of enhancing them.
Earlier, during meetings with Al-Falih, Perry discussed various means to enhance relations between the two countries and cooperation opportunities in clean energy.
Addressing a joint press conference with Perry, the energy minister said the cooperation has great potential to have a positive impact on the global economy, environment and energy supplies.
Al-Falih noted that the Kingdom is committed to using clean energy, not only economically but also environmentally due to the reduction of carbon emissions.
Perry met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Sunday and discussed the strategic partnership between the two countries in various fields including energy, the environment, industry and joint investments.
During the meeting the crown prince affirmed the Kingdom’s keenness to stabilize energy markets and supply them in a sustainable manner to serve the interests of energy producers and ­consumers.