Senior energy representatives from the global and regional energy sectors debate the “energy trilemma” and prospects for Daegu 2013
World Energy Council (WEC) Chairman Pierre Gadonneix and the Daegu 2013 Organising Committee Executive Vice-Chairman Younghoon David Kim today convened a roundtable as part of WEC’s Energy Trilemma forum in Abu Dhabi.
The roundtable discussed the three dimensions of the “energy trilemma”: security, access and affordability and environmental impact. These areas will underpin the “Securing Tomorrow’s Energy Today” theme of the upcoming World Energy Congress, taking place in Daegu, South Korea, in October 2013.
Among the headline themes at the roundtable were the steps required to secure the supply of energy to a rapidly increasing population with growing energy needs. The combination of energy technologies was at the heart of the discussion, balancing fluctuating demands in oil, coal and nuclear, together with the expanding gas market and an ever increasing focus on low carbon options.
Masdar CEO Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, a confirmed speaker at Daegu 2013, welcomed WEC officials on a tour of Masdar City and visit to Masdar headquarters.
Pierre Gadonneix, Chairman of the World Energy Council, commented:
“The world is now facing a crucial need for renewed governance at both national and international levels if we are to address the world’s energy security. The Congress will not only gather experts from across the energy spectrum, it will also convene leaders from across the globe to put into action the strategies for a more secure, accessible and environmentally sustainable energy supply.”
Commenting on WEC’s visit to Abu Dhabi, Dr. Ali Al-Yabhouni, Secretary of the UAE Member Committee and UAE OPEC Governor, said:
“The UAE strongly supports the World Energy Council’s guiding principles based on energy security, energy access and respect for the environment. The UAE’s energy policy already reflects this with a focus on developing an energy mix in which hydrocarbons, nuclear and renewable all play and important part.
We look forward to supporting the World Energy Congress to be held in Daegu in 2013 and have expressed a strong interest in hosting the next Congress in 2016 in Abu Dhabi. “
Younghoon David Kim, Executive Vice-Chairman, World Energy Congress Daegu 2013 Organizing Committee and Chairman and CEO of the Daesung Group, said:
“The global remit of the Congress calls for cooperation on a truly global scale. Korea and Asia’s growing links with the energy market in the Middle East have already been cemented with this visit and we hope to continue dialogue on the role of both regions on the world energy stage.”
The World Energy Congress is the energy sector’s premier international event, held every three years under the auspices of the World Energy Council, which consists of 93 national committees representing more than 3,000 member organizations including governments, industry, professional institutions and associations, and non-profit groups.
Next year’s event will be only the second World Energy Congress to be held in East Asia in the event’s 90-year history. Delegates from across the global energy and related sectors are expected to include government ministers, heads of state and the industry leaders of today and tomorrow from both developed and developing nations. The event is being run by the World Energy Council and the Daegu 2013 Organizing Committee, drawn from its Korean membership.
