Forum launched to promote biofuels development

Brazil, the United States, China, India, South Africa and the European Commission announced on March 2 the launching of the International Biofuels Forum. At a press conference at U.N. Headquarters in New York, the six parties announced the mechanism with a view to develop the production and sustainable use of biofuels on an international scale. “Biofuels constitute a viable economic alternative for the immediate partial substitution of fossil fuels and the diversification of the world’s energy mix,” said Brazilian Ambassador to the United States Antonio Patriota. The initiative creates a mechanism to structure dialogue among the biggest producers and consumers of biofuels interested in promoting the creation of an international market for these products. The forum will have the duration of one year and is to convene regular meetings to pave the way for an international conference on biofuels in Brazil next year. (March 2, 2007)