In his keynote address to the Caux Forum for Human Security, HRH Prince El Hassan Bin Talal spoke of the need to create a supra-national water and energy community for the world. He highlighted the unsustainable nature of our current food system, stating the need for more innovative food production methods.

 

Also stressed was the importance of thinking thematically - particularly in terms of the looming energy crises. Prince El Hassan advocated the DESERTEC concept – an innovative energy harvesting method which uses High-Voltage Direct Current transmission lines to facilitate the efficient transfer of solar and wind power from the energy rich deserts of the Middle-East and North Africa. He warned however that the two clubs of oil and nuclear, stood in strong opposition to such innovative thinking.

 

Speaking of the energy ellipse, Prince El Hassan noted that should global crude oil combustion remain the predominant energy base for civilization, we can expect the Indian Ocean and its chokepoints to become hotbeds of acute resource conflicts. Citing the ability to stand up and warn of the impending disaster as "our most valuable resource," Prince El Hassan thanked the Caux Forum for according him the opportunity to do so.