Global meeting to set new energy agenda Prime Minister Chung Hong-won, right, shakes hands with an international delegate during the opening ceremony of the World Energy Congress (WEC) at the Exhibition and Convention Center (EXCO) in Daegu, Sunday. / Courtesy of WEC Daegu 2013 Organizing Committ By Yi Whan-woo Korea’s first-ever World Energy Congress (WEC) kicked off in Daegu, Sunday, attracting some 7,000 international delegates from some 120 countries to seek ways to ensure the stable use and supply of energy. The largest international event in the energy sector has been hosted by the London-based World Energy Council since 1924. In the opening ceremony at the Exhibition and Convention Center (EXCO), participants said the Daegu meeting will be crucial for Korea and Asia to enhance their role in charting the course for energy security. “I am very proud of this year’s congress because it is the largest international event to be held in Korea in 2013, where some 7,000 global energy leaders have gathered,” said WEC Daegu 2013 Organizing Committee Chairman Cho Hwan-eik in his opening speech. The meeting has attracted distinguished participants from the public and private sectors, including Prime Minister Chung Hong-won, Trade, Industry, and Energy Minister Yoon Sang-jick, CEOs of multinational enterprises, as well as officials from the United Nations (U.N.), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and the International Energy Agency (IEA). “It is all the more meaningful for Korea to host this event representing Asia, which is the world’s most dynamic energy market today. In particular, WEC Daegu 2013 will be an opportunity where Asian countries including Korea will play a greater role in resolving the energy issues the world is facing,” Cho added. “I am confident that this Congress will further strengthen the cooperative relationships between Korea, Asia and countries around the world in building a safe and sustainable energy future,” said Cho, who is concurrently the president and CEO of the state-run Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO). The state-run firm under the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy is the country’s largest electricity provider. International delegates greet each other during a reception for the WEC at Hotel Inter-Burgo in Daegu, Saturday. Solutions for energy policy ‘trilemma’ The Prime Minster stressed the importance of sharing ideas about energy policy and development of sustainable energy sources. “Energy security is one of the biggest issues that humankind faces with a depletion of natural resources, environmental pollution, and climate change posing a threat to people’s lives,” he said in his congratulatory speech. “And we must come together to cooperate worldwide and carry out specific action to overcome such challenges that we face.” The triennial event will be held under the theme “Securing Tomorrow’s Energy Today.” Chung said he expects that the 22nd WEC Daegu 2013 will provide solutions for the issues related to the theme, especially the so-called energy policy trilemma. “This year’s WEC will offer a chance to draw out solutions on how to balance the conflicting demands of energy security, social equity, and environmental protection,” he said. “The issue is the most crucial in the energy field, and I hope the next four days will be able to change the course of the future of humankind.” The Prime Minister also said it is important that people scale back their energy consumption. He cited how Korea avoided a possible nationwide blackout in the summer through the public’s contribution by reducing their energy usage during peak hours of the day. World Energy Council Chairman Pierre Gadonneix underscored the role of global leaders in the energy sector from governments, enterprises, and organizations to cope with the energy policy trilemma. “Economic growth remains all the more important as the context of the economic downturn is now impacting not only industrialized countries but also developing countries,” he said in his welcoming remark. “It will require additional energy supply. Therefore, supplying energy to fuel this growth at acceptable costs is key. All energy sources must be mobilized within a comprehensive long term policy to reconcile energy thirst with environmental priorities. “That is why it requires all stakeholders of the energy and climate sector to work on it now, and provide country leaders with insights,” he added.   Visitors try out the Building Management Solutions (BMS) provided by LG Electronics at the Exhibition and Convention Center in Daegu, Sunday. Daegu City Mayor Kim Bum-il said Korea’s third largest city is an example of how to meet the effort needed for economic growth and environmental protection. “Daegu has played an essential role in the economic development and growth of Korea,” he said. “Based on such traditional industries as textile, machinery, and automobile parts industries, we are now working hard to develop a high-tech medical industry, IT convergence, as well as renewable energy industries.” He also mentioned that the industrial city has hosted the International Green Energy Expo for the past 10 years. According to the mayor, it is one of the world’s 10 largest exhibitions on renewable energy. Of the international delegates, 275 of them from 73 countries such as the United States, China, Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Angola will deliver speeches during the meeting. The sessions will be divided into four categories depending on the sub-theme. They are vision and scenarios for the future, identifying business opportunities, the energy trilemma, and securing a sustainable energy future. A total of 54 ministers from 44 countries from both developed and emerging economies are scheduled to attend the ministerial-level meetings twice on Wednesday afternoon to discuss ways to cope with the so-called energy trilemma. Some 263 private and state-run companies from 23 countries will be present to promote their business strategies. Forty of those business groups are listed among the global top 200 firms by Fortune magazine. They include Royal Dutch Shell, Exxon Mobil and BP — three of the world’s leading private oil refiners — and Sinopec Group and China National Petroleum, both from the world’s second largest economy. The triennial meeting has been nicknamed the “Energy Olympics” for its size and prestige, according to the organizing Committee.