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UWI's Oil and Gas Law Conference Highlights Path to Sustainable Energy

For Release Upon Receipt - July 16, 2024

St. Augustine


ST. AUGUSTINE, Trinidad and Tobago. July 16, 2024 – The University of the West Indies (The UWI), St. Augustine Campus, Faculty of Law, successfully hosted the 4th UWI Oil and Gas Law Conference on June 28th and 29th, 2024, at the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre. Themed “Towards a Just Transition,” the event gathered legal scholars, industry experts, policymakers, and students to address the multifaceted challenges and opportunities in the oil and gas sector. Following the success of the previous conferences in 2015, 2017, and 2019, the St. Augustine Faculty of Law collaborated with key stakeholders to organise this event, providing government regulatory bodies and other stakeholders a valuable opportunity to discuss emerging issues in the energy sector and enhance learning across the wider Caribbean.

In her welcome remarks, Dr. Alicia Elias-Roberts, Dean of the Faculty of Law highlighted the significance of the conference’s theme: "The theme for this year’s Conference is ‘Towards a Just Transition’ and reflects the dynamic and evolving nature of the oil and gas sector. The theme also underscores the urgent need to address the legal, social, and economic dimensions of transitioning to sustainable energy systems. The concept of a just transition emphasizes not only the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy but also the imperative to ensure that this transition is equitable and inclusive, leaving no one behind."

Throughout the two-day event, participants engaged in training sessions and discussions on various topics, including energy transition, energy taxation, and the legal aspects of petroleum contracts and transactions. Speakers from the University of Turin, the University of Groningen, The UWI, St. Augustine Campus, and the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Legal Affairs, shared their insights and expertise.

Dr. Elias-Roberts expressed gratitude to key supporters of the conference: "I would like to acknowledge our Campus Principal, Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, whose vision supported the first conference and the development of the oil and gas law course in the Faculty of Law when she was the Dean. I also extend a special thank you to our sponsor, Shell Trinidad, for their generous support, and to the participants from Atlantic LNG and the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Legal Affairs. Your commitment to advancing legal education and research in the field of oil, gas, and energy law is deeply appreciated."

The 4th UWI Oil and Gas Law Conference concluded with a call to action for continued collaboration and knowledge sharing. The Faculty of Law at The UWI remains committed to advancing education and creating knowledge to support the developmental demands of the Caribbean. Dr. Elias-Roberts emphasized, "The oil and gas sector remains a cornerstone of the global economy, driving technological innovation, economic development, and international relations. However, it also presents unique legal challenges and opportunities, particularly in the areas of regulation, sustainability, and global market dynamics."

END

Notes to the Editor

 

Photo 1: Dr. Alicia Elias-Roberts, Dean, Faculty of Law, The UWI St. Augustine welcomes the attendees to the 4th Oil and Gas Law Conference

 

Photo 2: [Centre] Dr. Alicia Elias-Roberts, Dean, Faculty of Law The UWI St. Augustine accompanied by the keynote speakers for day one of the conference [L-R] Justice Anthony D.J Gafoor, Dr. Indira Rampersad, Dr. Eduardo Pereira and Ms. Leanna Ramkhalawan.

 

Photo 3: Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal, The UWI St Augustine Campus smiles warmly with Dr. Alicia Elias-Roberts, Dean, Faculty of Law.

 

Photo 4: Mr. Kevin Ramnarine, Former Minister of Energy, Trinidad and Tobago delivers his  presentation on Fiscal systems in Trinidad and Guyana’s Energy sector.

 

Photo 5: [Centre] Dr. Alicia Elias-Roberts, Dean, Faculty of Law accompanied by the keynote speakers for day two of the conference [L-R] Ms. Grace Bhagwandeen, Ms. Vanna Jankiepersad, Dr. Eduardo Pereira, Margarita Nieves Zárate, Professor Francesco Cannas and Mrs. Adanna Joseph Wallace.

 

Photo 6:  Attendees of the 4th UWI Oil and Gas Law Conference look on intently as presentations are shared.

About The University of the West Indies 

The UWI has been and continues to be a pivotal force in every aspect of Caribbean development, residing at the centre of all efforts to improve the well-being of people across the region for over 75 years.

From a university college of London in Jamaica with 33 medical students in 1948, The UWI is today an internationally respected, global university with nearly 50,000 students and five campuses: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and Barbuda and its Global Campus, and global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe.

The UWI offers over 1000 certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Culture, Creative and Performing Arts, Food and Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities and Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology, Social Sciences, and Sport. As the Caribbean’s leading university, it possesses the largest pool of Caribbean intellect and expertise committed to confronting the critical issues of our region and the wider world.

The UWI has been consistently ranked among the best in the world by the most reputable ranking agency, Times Higher Education (THE). Since The UWI’s 2018 debut in THE’s rankings, it has performed well in multiple schemes—among them including World University Rankings, Golden Age University Rankings (between 50 and 80 years old), Latin America Rankings, and the Impact Rankings for its response to the world’s biggest concerns, outlined in the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Good Health and Well-being; Gender Equality and Climate Action.

Learn more at www.uwi.edu   

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