Palestinian Energy &
Environment Research Center

An-Najah

National University

Engineers Association

Jerusalem Center

Energy and Environment in Palestine "Challenges for Development and Reconstruction"

Wednesday, Thursday 28, 29 October, 1998

Under the Patronage of His Excellency

President Yasser Arafat

Third Conference

Energy and Environment in Palestine

Challenges for Development and Reconstruction

Organized by

An-Najah National University,

Engineers Association- Jerusalem Center

And

The Palestinian Energy and Environment Research Center

28-29 October 1997

Secretariat of the Conference

Environment and Energy Conference

P.O Box 85 Nablus, Palestine

Phone: 972 9 2384803/4 Fax: 972 9 2384388

E-Mail: pec@planet.edu,

Home Page: http:\\www.planet.edu\~pec

PREFACE

This conference will be held in a time while Palestinians are preparing to declare their Independent State as the Interim Agreement stated and that will be in May 1999. This stage must include the formation and establishment of all national projects such as Ports, Airports, Power Generationetc.

Due to the tremendous challenges that the Palestinian National Authority has faced as a result of obstacles imposed by the Israeli government as well as not implementing the most items in the Interim Agreement. It is essential not only to focus on scientific research and objective studies based on well organized methodology but also direct their desired results, recommendations, and proposed solutions towards solving all relevant problems that face development and reconstruction.

Since the reconstruction of the nation requires special attention to be directed to the Palestinian economy, efficient programs and proper planning must be designed to achieve sustainable development and recovery. This needs identification and assessment of the Palestinian demands on Energy-the, backbone of the economic development in the environmental protection, therefore, the importance of organizing this conference stems from focusing our efforts and research on prospective future as well as the study of the environment in order to identify its profile and pinpoint the future dangers that might face it.

The Palestinian Energy and Environment Research Center, Engineers Association / Jerusalem Center, and An-Najah National University have decided to organize and prepare for the Third conference "Energy and Environment in Palestine: Challenges for Development and Reconstruction".



The previous two conferences resulted in many positive developments in the energy-environment Sector. Actually, most of the recommendations of the conferences translated into policies and programs that are under implementation from creating the distribution utilities to the signing of the letter of Sector Policy by President Arafat.





We sincerely hope that this conference will follow the previous ones in identifying and forecasting the problems that the new Independent State will be facing and to put forth the suitable solutions that could help in developing our human and financial resources, reducing the environmental hazard, and employing the best methodology in production and economic growth.

GOALS OF THE CONFERENCE

1- To help formulate a strategy for development through studying energy and environmental possibilities in Palestine.

2- To identify and study traditional and renewable energy sources in Palestine.

3- To study and evaluate the environmental status in Palestine, its main profile, and the danger resulting from environmental deterioration to formulate strategies to protect the Palestinian environment for the future generation.

4- To contribute in infusing scientific awareness to identify the problems resulting from energy usage and their effect on the environment and the energy resources.

5- To apply the principle of scientific research planning and development processes through solving various related problems.

6- To use research and field study results in the stage of establishing the nations.

7- To strengthen academic, scientific, and research cooperation among educational institutions, ministries and NGO's.

8- To identify and study the possibilities of regional cooperation in the fields of energy and environment.

DOMAINS OF THE CONFERENCE

1- Energy

Traditional Energy

Renewable Energy

Energy Conservation and Demand Side Management

2- Energy Effects on:

Housing

Transportation

Industry

Environment "Environmental Pollution"

3- Nuclear Energy: Systems, Protection and Safety

4- Regional Cooperation in the Fields of both Energy

and Environment

Electricity Grid Interconnection

Management of Solid Wastes and Water Treatment



ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

Mr. Bassam Walweel / Coordinator

Dr. Naser A. Tibi

Dr. Marwan Mahmoud

Mr. Ramadan Safi

Mr. Nabeel Deeb

Mr. Hisham S. AL-Zu'abi