Polish Delegation Attends First Multilateral Meeting of the Global Shale Gas Initiative

24 August 2010

The first multilateral meeting of the Global Shale Gas Initiative (GSGI) is taking place in Washington on August 23 and 24, hosted by the U.S. Department of State's Coordinator for International Energy Affairs David L. Goldwyn.  Poland and sixteen other countries have sent representatives to attend the GSGI Conference to discuss the importance of shale gas as a lower-carbon fuel option that can help reduce CO₂ emissions while ensuring energy security and economic development in the 21^st century.  Dr. Piotr Litwa, President of the State Mining Authority, Director Ewa Zalewska of the Ministry of Environment, and Counselor Katarzyna Kacperczyk of the Foreign Ministry are representing Poland at the Washington conference.  "Poland has emerged as a leader in supporting shale gas exploration.  The Polish delegation brings to Washington a set of lessons and experiences - best practices - from which other countries can learn," said U.S. Ambassador Lee Feinstein.  "Our common goal is to deploy U.S. technology and investment to develop cleaner, more secure energy resources.  The GSGI conference the latest in a series of cooperative efforts aimed at just that." 

While visiting Krakow in July, Secretary Clinton said, "We think that Poland, in particular, has a very good opportunity to be a leader in a full range of energy issues, including shale gas... At the political and national level, this is a very good sign of Polish leadership in the energy sector, because energy security and independence is one of the most important aspects of national security in today's world."

In April, Secretary Clinton and Foreign Minister Sikorski established a high-level dialogue to build deeper public and private cooperation on regional energy security.  U.S. investment in "shale gas" exploration holds the promise of converting Polish dependence on imported natural gas into an alternative, secure Polish supply of natural gas exports for the region.  The U.S.-Poland Shale Gas Working Group brings our two governments together to support the safe, successful introduction of U.S. shale gas extraction technology into Poland.