Daegu, Korea - Under the theme of “Securing Tomorrow’s Energy Today” the 22nd World Energy Congress 2013 will take place in Daegu city from October 13 to 17.
Starting from 1924, the congress has been a venue where global energy leaders and experts from businesses, governments, international organizations, academics and research groups gather to discuss current trends and issues of energy. As the event comes closer, Korea IT Times sat down with Cho Hwan-eik, a chair of WEC Daegu 2013 Organizing Committee to listen to key themes of the congress and the overall preparation.
Can you tell us the keyword for the 22nd World Energy Congress Daegu 2013
This congress is timely meaningful as it takes place in an era where countries across the world are putting greater emphasis on energy transition. Energy is becoming a vital role in achieving Millennium Development Goal, and its issue should be put as the first priority of national agendas for the mankind’s sustainable future. As this congress will focus on the security of future energy in conjunction with discussion on “today’s action for tomorrow’s energy”, the keyword for the 22nd World Energy Congress will be “sustainability”.
On top of this, this congress will attract energy leaders and specialists across the world including global energy companies, governments, international organizations, and academics. This event will provide a venue where the diverse interest groups can discuss entangled global energy issues. Among international conferences taking place inKorea, this will be by far the largest and the most quality event.
How can Korea secure the global energy leadership taking the opportunity of this event
Like I said earlier, this is the largest congress since the new government was launched. Since Daegu city was selected for the venue of the 22nd World Energy Congress, the organizing committee has meticulously made arrangement of program development, invitation of speakers, accommodation, and transportation for the successful event. In the process of forming the congress agenda as a host nation, Prime Minister Chung Hong-won became an honorary chair of the 22nd World Energy Congress Daegu.
Key leaders including Minister of Trade, Industry & Energy Yoon Sang-jick and Daegu Metropolitan City Government's Mayor Kim Bum-il, and some energy experts will attend the conference as key speakers.
This congress will mainly discuss global issues directly linked to national growth engine such as energy security, environment issues, and universal energy access. AsKoreahas an opportunity to take the lead in the global issues in an era of energy transition, this will be a great momentum for the country to raise the national brand and the global energy leadership.
Key energy decision makers and relevant CEOs are expected to attend the congress. Who are the participants
Up to now, a total of 267 speakers from 70 countries have confirmed the participation. They are global business CEOs, heads of international organizations, and leaders of regional development banks.
As for key speakers, 54 energy ministers from 42 countries are confirmed to present the countries’ energy policies. They include UAE’s Minister of Energy,CzechRepublic’s Minister of Industry andTrade,Tanzania’s Minister of Energy and Minerals,South Africa’s Minister of Energy,Russia’s Minister of Energy, andColombia’s Minister of Energy and Mining.
Besides, many heads of international organizations and non governmental organizations will attend the event. They are a director general of International Atomic Energy Agency, a director general of OECD Nuclear Energy Agency, an executive secretary of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, a director general of international renewable energy agency, and chairman of Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.
Next, we have invited influential business leaders including CEO of Saudi Aramco, CEO of Royal Dutch Shell, a president of Tokyo Electric Power, an honorary chairman ofFrance’s EdF, a president of State Grid Corp. ofChina, CEO of Siemens.
One thing worthy of note at the congress is the energy trillemma report published by the World Energy Council. The report has been published every year from 2009. From this year, there will be presentations on this and they will be used as important materials at the Ministerial Roundtable meeting on October 16.
Based on the two reports, leaders are expected to seek solution to set the outline of policy master plan for sustainable energy, and to reach consensus through discussions with governments and industries.
There have been controversies for the lack of accommodations. What are your solutions
I believe Daegu city is an ideal place for the World Energy Congress as a place to representKorea’s energy industry, and it has enough capacity to host the global event. We have stepped up our efforts for the convenience of participants by exploring the field several times since it was selected as a venue for the event in 2008.
As for accommodation, we have secured 3,800 rooms at the Greenstel in Gumi city. For the participants’ convenience, we have arranged Internet service, interpretation and information services. In particular, as the attendants for developing countries are provided with accommodation at reasonable price, more key energy nations of Southeast Asian and African countries are likely to attend the congress.
In terms of transportation, shuttle buses will run every hour within Gyeongju and Gumi city. The buses will be equipped with wireless Internet service and congress video for the participants to prepare for work even during the travel.
What are key events of the World Energy Congress Daegu
Today, diverse energy issues are emerging at home and abroad from discarding nuclear plants to fostering renewable energy. The issues should no longer be delayed. Thus, this timely congress will be a venue where leaders in diverse areas will decide the direction of global energy policy.
At the congress, there are four issues which require global consensus and decision. They are liquefied natural gas, new ways of financing, global energy governance, and nuclear energy.
Especially on nuclear energy, Naomi Hirose, a president of Tokyo Electric Power, Maria Van Der Hoeven, an executive director of International Energy Agency, and Mohamed Al Hammadi, CEO of Emirates Nuclear Energy Corp. will be speakers in key sessions to offer significant insight into the future plan of relevant areas. Relevant topics will be “post-Fukushima nuclear challenges”, “two years afterFukushima: Is nuclear renaissance over”, and “effective international governance on nuclear”.
Technological innovation and demand on renewable energy is expected to surge especially in Asian regions, and their governments and businesses will take the lead in the areas. At the congress, energy ministers of some nations will share their renewable energy policies and outcomes to draw financial and policy models. The key topics will be “Can renewable energy be India‟s green gold”, “Energy storage: Defining the future for e-Mobility and renewables”, “Renewables: Is the honeymoon over”, “Biofuel: Beyond fuel in the tank”, “Creating Utilities 2.0: New business models for smart energy”.
203 companies from 24 nations will participate in the exhibitions. Among them, more than 40 are energy companies selected by this year’s Fortune 200. Besides, national pavilions comprised of countries likeChina, UAE andRussiawill be run at a large scale.
