Several senior government and industry leaders from the Middle East are among the 150 speakers confirmed by organisers of the upcoming World Energy Congress in Daegu, South Korea.

The 22nd edition of the congress takes place from October 13 to 17.

Delegates will hear first-hand how the region is tackling the challenge of securing a sustainable energy future, with speakers from Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE due to address the Congress.

Dr Christoph Frei, secretary general of the World Energy Council, said: “As one of the power houses of today’s energy industry, the Middle East continues to play a pivotal role in meeting the energy challenges of today and tomorrow.”

“But the region is also a dynamic centre of new vision, leadership and innovation. I am therefore proud and delighted to be welcoming the region’s leaders to our Congress. Their presence and insights will provide inspiration to the group of world energy leaders who will gather at our event.”

Cho Hwan-eik, chair of the Organising Committee of the 2013 World Energy Congress, and president, Kepco, added: “Our Congress theme of ‘Securing Tomorrow’s Energy Today’ could not be timelier. The Middle East is addressing the great challenge of adopting sustainable energy policies that are compatible with the continued use and development of traditional energy sources. So I am delighted that some of the region and industry’s leading figures will be coming to Korea to share their experience and insights with the world’s energy community.”

This is only the second time in the 90-year history of the world’s most prestigious energy event that the Congress has been held in East Asia. It comes as Asia is taking an increasingly influential global role as an energy producer and consumer, while its trading and cultural ties with the Middle East continue to grow.

Speakers and delegates from across Asia will be attending in large numbers, including participants from China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Thailand. China’s National Energy Administration (NEA) recently confirmed that it will be sending a ministerial-level delegation to the event and has advised Chinese energy companies of its plan to attend.

The World Energy Congress expects to welcome 200 speakers from both developed and developing nations. – TradeArabia News Service