The World Energy Congress, the world’s biggest international event in the energy sector, will offer a unique opportunity for all stakeholder groups in the energy sector to meet and exchange visions, strategies and practices, during four days of intensive sessions, roundtables and exhibitions that begin today.

More than 6,000 international energy leaders and decision-makers are scheduled to gather at the congress. They come from the public and private corporate sectors, government and academia, advanced and developing countries, representing all energy sectors. They will discuss ways of urgently bringing about a sustainable and acceptable energy future for people throughout the world, when global economic and environmental crises already exacerbate the challenges ahead of us.

Central to this debate is today’s energy trilemma: How to secure our world energy supplies, ensure social equity and energy access, while also mitigating the environmental impact.

More than 1.3 billion people still lack basic access to modern energy, which is hampering progress toward better environmental protection and economic development. It is a statistic that we need to address and the congress provides an ideal platform to reach a global consensus on the best way forward.

The World Energy Council, the host of the triennial World Energy Congress, is happy to be bringing our next World Energy Congress to Asia. The continent is now the world’s most dynamic energy market. Asia is also one of the foremost centers of energy innovation.

For Korea, in particular, the country is recognized worldwide as a vanguard case study for its visionary yet pragmatic energy and climate policies that comprise a diverse energy mix from nuclear to renewables, along with innovation in smart technologies, as the city of Daegu itself can boast.

We have been promoting the 2013 Congress as a congress for innovation and for change in the energy sector, hence the theme: “Securing Tomorrow’s Energy Today.”

The 22nd WEC promises to provide a compelling blend of debate, innovation, creativity and true engagement. I very much look forward to our Congress and I am delighted to be in Daegu to help stage this great event with you all.

By Pierre Gadonneix

(Chair of World Energy Council )