Global energy leaders to gather in Korea: World Energy Congress releases first list of speakers for 2013 event

SEOUL-LONDON, 23 July, 2012 – The World Energy Council (WEC) and the Congress Organising Committee today announced the first list of 15 confirmed speakers for its 22nd World Energy Congress, which will take place in 15 months’ time in Daegu from 13 to 17 October 2013.

Some of the most influential figures in the global energy sector, from chief executives and government ministers to the leaders of major international organizations, will address the Congress theme of “Securing Tomorrow’s Energy Today”.

The world’s premier energy event is held every three years under the auspices of the London-based 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.

The first 15 speakers confirmed for the 22nd World Energy Congress are:

 

The names of more speakers will be released on a regular basis.  They will all share a focus on addressing the major issues affecting the global energy sector today, including:

 

Kim Joong-kyum, Chairman of the Organizing Committee and President and CEO of the Korea Electric Power Corporation, said:  “I am impressed by the varied backgrounds of our first confirmed speakers. The question of what we need to do now to secure energy in a sustainable manner for the future is exceedingly complex, so I am sure that we will all benefit from sharing their insights and experience. At the Daegu Congress we are gathering not only energy leaders, but also drawing on the knowledge and experience of experts from across related sectors to address this question.”

Christoph Frei, Secretary General of the World Energy Council, said: “Our last World Energy Congress three years ago gathered 7,000 participants from 140 countries including 67 government ministers and heads of state.  I am pleased to report that we are already seeing tremendous interest in next year’s Congress in Korea, and the quality of the speakers announced today bodes well for a stimulating and productive event. They represent the leaders in the sector who will be addressing some of the most pressing energy-related challenges facing our world. No issue could be more important than the need to secure our energy future today, especially at such a critical time. The Congress may be 15 months away, but I am already looking forward enormously to the critically important debate at Daegu 2013.”

 

 

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Founded in 1923, the World Energy Council is the only truly global and inclusive forum for thought-leadership and tangible engagement committed to our sustainable energy future. Our network of 93 national committees represents over 3000 member organizations including governments, industry and expert institutions. Our mission is to promote the sustainable supply and use of energy for the greatest benefit of all. The World Energy Congress is the world's premier energy gathering.

 

 

The triennial World Energy Congress has gained recognition since the first event in 1923 as the premier global forum for leaders and thinkers to debate solutions to energy issues. In addition to the discussions, the event provides an opportunity for executives to display their technologies and explore business opportunities. With the upcoming Congress in Daegu the event will have been held in 20 major cities around the world since its founding.

Daegu was selected to host next year’s Congress at the 2008 WEC Executive Assembly held in Mexico City. The hosts for the 2013 Congress include the Ministry of Knowledge Economy, the Daegu Metropolitan Government, North Gyeongsang provincial government, Korea Electric Power Corporation and SK Energy.