Joint partnerships by the UK, US and Germany to promote sustainable, affordable energy services in the developed and developing world were announced last night in New York.

Joint partnerships by the UK, US and Germany to promote sustainable, affordable energy services in the developed and developing world were announced last night in New York.

The USA has signed up to the UK's Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP) and the UK has joined the USA's Clean Energy Initiative. The UK and German governments have set out their joint commitment to renewable and energy efficient technologies playing a role in tackling the problems of climate change.

UK Foreign Office Minister Bill Rammell welcomed yesterday's statement made by Margaret Beckett, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Paula Dobriansky, US Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs. He said: "We are delighted that the US has agreed to work with us on REEEP. Security of energy supplies and climate change are two of the most pressing foreign policy challenges that we all face. The key to both these challenges lies in renewables and increased energy efficiency. Initiatives like REEEP will help the international community move to a more sustainable future."

Margaret Beckett speaking yesterday, Wednesday 28 April 2004, from the UN Commission on Sustainable Development in New York said "I am delighted to have been able to make two significant statements on sustainable energy with partners from each side of the Atlantic.

"These joint intergovernmental statements underline the importance of global cooperation in tackling the key challenges of sustainable development - of which the UK government regards climate change and the eradication of poverty as among the most serious.

"I am particularly pleased that the United States has now joined the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership and joined as a partner, which will ensure their full engagement in its work."

The partnerships announced all relate to decisions taken and undertakings given at the World Summit on Sustainable Development held in Johannesburg 26 August to 4 September 2002.