The United Nations Economic Commission announced Jan. 19 that it signed a memorandum of understanding with the World Coal Association outlining a plan to facilitate a dialogue between governments and the coal industry.

The MOU is aimed at boosting awareness related to coal's role in the global energy mix, including its affordability and reliability as an energy source.

"Coal will continue to be part of the global energy supply for the foreseeable future. Therefore, clean coal technologies are critical to achieve the goals in the Paris Climate Agreement including high efficiency-low emissions technologies, methane management, carbon capture and storage and identifying the most efficient coal resources," the commission quoted its executive secretary, Christian Friis Bach, as saying.

To achieve its goals, Bach acknowledged its long-term collaboration with the global industry association, consisting of major international coal producers and stakeholders.