Uruguayan official: Energy won't help poor

PANAMA CITY, Panama, June 5 (UPI) -- Alternative energy programs alone won't help the poor rise out of poverty, an Uruguayan official attending a regional summit in Panama said.

"Energy is important for production and improving quality of life, but eliminating poverty involves other factors as well," said Reinaldo Gargano during the Organization of American States General Assembly in Panama City, Panama America newspaper reported Tuesday.

Gargano said economic reform and responsible governments are also necessary to help alleviate the problems of poverty in the region.

The central theme of this week's OAS meetings is renewable energy and the importance of promoting biofuels in the hemisphere to lessen dependence on fossil fuels.