The fourth International Conference on Renewable Energy Technology for Rural and Urban Development is taking place in the capital next week.

Around 20 countries will be participating in the event to be jointly organised by the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre under the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation and the Institute of Engineering (IoE), Tribhuvan University from October 29 to 31.

Energy and sustainable development, energy security, climate change and carbon trading, green economic growth, renewable energy technologies, gender mainstreaming and energy, energy efficiency and conservation, energy for economic empowerment of women, power trade and sustainable energy access are the thematic areas of discussion during the conference, which will see presentation of workings papers on these topics, IoE Dean Prof Triratna Bajracharya said.

The role of renewable energy is significant in view of socio-economic development and environment conservation, he said, adding that the strategies for continuous development of Renewable Energy Technology (RET) for socio-economic development and environmental sustainability have been at the forefront of global ‘development discourse’ for the past several decades.

The conference is expected to be helpful in seeking new areas for cooperation, providing a platform for the exchange of international knowledge, experiences and information related to the field of renewable energy.

Kathmandu hosted earlier conferences in 1998, 2003 and 2011. The three-day event will see the presentation of 80 papers with the participation of around 250 energy experts, according to the Director of Centre for Energy Studies, IOE, Shreeraj Shakya.