Tuesday, Sep 18, 2012
Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi is bidding to host the 2016 World Energy Congress, the premier global forum on energy issues.
The forum has gained importance in the wake of the fact that 1.5 billion people across the globe still do not have access to electricity.
With the upcoming Congress in Daegu in South Korea in October 2013, the event, which takes place every three years, will have visited 20 major cities around the world since it was founded in 1923.
If Abu Dhabi succeeds in its bid for the 2016 event, it will be the first World Energy Congress to be held in the Middle East, a top official said on Monday.
“We are a strong contender to host the event as part of the UAE’s commitment to advocate the promotion of renewable energy at international fora,” said Dr Ali Al Yabhouni, Secretary of the UAE Member Committee and UAE Opec (Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries) Governor. He was speaking at a discussion as part of the World Energy Council (WEC) Energy Trilemma forum in Abu Dhabi.
“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 an important part,” he explained.
World Energy Council Chairman Pierre Gadonneix and the Daegu 2013 Organising Committee Executive Vice-Chairman Younghoon David Kim convened the discussion.
Gadonneix said the world needs huge investment and better governance in the energy sector to ensure energy access to 1.5 billion people across the globe.
“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.”
The round table discussed 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 congress in Daegu.
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.
Meanwhile Masdar CEO Dr Sultan Ahmad Al Jaber, a confirmed speaker at Daegu 2013, welcomed WEC officials on a tour of Masdar City and visit to Masdar headquarters.
David Kim, the South Korean executive said: “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 organisations including governments, industry, professional institutions and associations, and non-profit groups.
By Binsal Abdul Kader Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2012. All rights reserved.
