The first US/Africa Energy Ministers conference was hosted by the United States Secretary of Energy, Bill Richardson, from 11-1 December 1999, in Tucson Arizona.

The conference highlighted the need for partnership between the United States and African countries for the development and utilization of energy resources.

The Second Energy Ministerial Conferences come at an important period of changing International and African Energy environment, amongst increasing calls for privatization, liberalization and commercialization of state owned companies and increased public/private sector participation and involvement.

The main emphasis of these conferences will be the sustainable development of African Energy resources through increased private sector participation, sound energy policies, good regulatory and legal framework and addressing challenges facing women in the energy sector.

The Women in Energy Ministers Conference in particular recognises and acknowledges that in most developing countries, women are primary energy users and the need for Ministers to explore ways of using policy to empower and promote safer and healthier technologies for women.

The Pan-African Energy Ministers consultation meeting, will focus on ways of implementing the resolutions and the conclusions of the Durban 1997 UNECA meeting and taking forward the resolutions of the OAU forums on Energy.

The first day of the Africa/US Energy Ministers Conference will focus on policy issues and the second day will have parallel sessions conducted mainly by the private sector. These sessions will cover the following Energy sub-sectors; Petroleum and Gas Session (Challenges in developing the African Petroleum & Gas Sectors in the 21st Century); Electricity & Power Session (Increasing Private Sector Participation); New and Renewable Energy (Energisation & Rural Development) and Energy & Environment (Clean Energy Technologies).