Energy leaders of tomorrow to get their say at 2013 World Energy Congress

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SEOUL & LONDON, 17 June 2013 – The next generation of energy industry leaders will play a key role at the World Energy Congress in Korea, 13 to 17 October 2013, as the event launches its Future Energy Leaders Programme (FELP).

The initiative is aimed at attracting to the Congress some of the brightest young talent from across the globe. One hundred delegates from 44 countries have been selected to take part, including 20 from developing nations. A total of 46 nationalities will be represented on the programme. This elite group will contribute their unique insights to the Congress programme, which has been developed under the overall theme of “Securing Tomorrow’s Energy Today”.

All participants are working in energy-related fields, including government, industry, finance, academia and NGOs, and were nominated as a Future Energy Leader by their home countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America, and the Middle East. Financial support for the programme is being provided by the World Energy Congress Organising Committee and the Korean government’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

Christoph Frei, Secretary General of the World Energy Council, commented:

“I am excited that such a diverse group of bright young talent will be joining us at this year’s Congress. It is the emerging energy leaders who drive the global energy transformation and hold the key to our sustainable energy future. Their insights will help steer the discussions at the Congress and underpin our ambition: to provide sustainable energy systems for the benefit of all.”

He added: “As a former WEC Future Energy Leader myself I know how inspirational and transformative this group can be.”

As preparations for the most important energy event of the year gather pace, the Future Energy Leaders have already been assigned to working groups covering the following key themes:

New frontiers for oil and gas: are we ready? Do we need them?
Transitioning away from carbon energy: what are the alternatives?
Financing mechanisms for the development of small to mid-scale energy projects
The role of alternative transport fuels: what does the future hold?
The global master plan: Do we need one? What would it look like?
What technology can fundamentally change the power generation portfolio by 2050?
Moving towards a smart energy future
Energy without limits: meeting the needs of the poorest communities
The global geopolitics of oil and gas

Hwan-eik Cho, Chairman of the Daegu 2013 Organizing Committee, commented:

“As the sector’s premier event, the World Energy Congress is the ideal platform to showcase the talent of young leaders today. We are particularly grateful for the generous support of the Korean government’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, which is giving financial assistance to FELP delegates from developing countries. I am confident that all participants in this important programme will make a significant contribution to our discussions, and look forward to welcoming them to Korea.”

The World Energy Congress is held every three years under the auspices of theWorld 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.

This year’s Congress will be only the second 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 current and future industry leaders from both developed and developing nations. The event is being hosted by the World Energy Council and the WEC Daegu 2013 Organizing Committee, which represents the Council’s Korean members.

About the Future Energy Leaders’ Programme (FELP)

The Future Energy Leaders’ Programme (FELP) is the World Energy Council’s (WEC) engagement programme for the younger generation of energy leaders from around the world. It brings together young talent from across the globe to further their experience, knowledge and skills in the energy and its related sectors, contributing to the WEC’s global dialogue and shaping energy solutions for tomorrow. The FELP builds on the ideas and innovative potential of the next generation, helping to inspire new ways of thinking and frame the future of sustainable energy. All Future Energy Leaders (FELs) are invited to participate in the World Energy Congress, the world’s premier energy event held by the World Energy Council. The FELs are recruited every three years via the WEC’s national Member Committees.

Further information on the programme can be found at the official Congress website www.daegu2013.kr. Direct enquiries can be made to Ms Ori Chandler, World Energy Council.

Join the Future Energy Leaders' discussion on Twitter: @WECFELs