About 200 top leaders from the energy sector will will debate some of the most urgent energy challenges facing the world  at the upcoming 22nd World Energy Congress in Daegu, South Korea.

Speakers from across 56 countries, including Middle Eastern participants from the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Iraq, will take part in the event that will take place from October 13 to 17 at the Eeco Exhibition and Convention Centre.

Korean government and energy leaders met as preparations got under way to host top ministers of state, senior representatives of leading organisations such as the UN, World Bank, Opec and the International Energy Agency, together with the CEOs of some of the world’s largest energy organisations.  

“We are very excited to have reached another milestone in our preparations for the congress in October. The calibre of our speakers is exceptional and we are expecting the discussions in Daegu to bring us closer to solutions to our energy future," said Christop Frei, secretary general of the World Energy Council.

"Energy has never been higher on the world agenda, which will make the dialogue among energy leaders at this year’s congress particularly insightful, compelling, and influential,” said Frei.

The participation of the 200 speakers was confirmed  by the World Energy Congress 2013 Organising Committee and the World Energy Council following a special meeting convened on July 25 by Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, which was attended by senior executives from 20 of the country’s leading public energy companies to discuss ongoing preparations for the event.

Following the meeting, Han Jin-hyun, Vice Minister of Trade and Energy, said: “The Republic of Korea is honoured to be hosting such an important event as the World Energy Congress. It is the most significant gathering of international energy leaders this year and we fully endorse its objectives.  

“We are confident that the Congress participants can work together during the event in Daegu to find the right energy mix to sustain the way we live and work for future generations.”

Under the theme ‘Securing Tomorrow’s Energy Today’, the participants will debate some of the most urgent energy challenges facing the world and draw up agreements to address them in an active, coordinated and sustainable way.

Held every three years, the congress comes as Asia is taking an increasingly influential global role as an energy producer and consumer, while its trading and cultural ties with Europe, the Americas, Africa and the Middle East continue to grow. - TradeArabia News Service