FROM: Daesung Group

24th World Energy Congress to be held in Abu Dhabi, UAE

[September 4th, 2019] The World Energy Council (WEC), chaired by Younghoon David Kim, will be hosting the 24th World Energy Congress from Sept. 9 to 12 in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This congress, with the theme of “Energy for Prosperity,” is a global energy event that has been organized under Chairman Kim’s leadership for the last 3 years ever since he was inaugurated as the chairman of the organization.

Since the World Energy Congress is the premiere international energy event, about 15,000 key people from the energy sector representing over 150 countries are expected to attend. This includes representatives of global energy companies, academics, representatives of international organizations, heads of government, and top energy department officials. Highlights include a ministerial roundtable , seminars, exhibitions, and other events.

There will be approximately 300 speakers and panelists, including Prince Abdulaziz Bin Salman Al Saud, Saudi Arabia State Minister of Energy Affairs; Alexander Novak, minister of energy of the Russian Federation; and Dan Brouillette, deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy. Major decision-makers from international organizations dealing with energy and environment like the UN, the World Bank, IRENA, IEA, and OPEC, and global companies such as GE, BASF, Petronas, Total, and Siemens will also be there.

One entire day of the Congress will consist of sessions on innovative technology and the Start-up Energy Transition-100 (SET-100) program to match startups with investors, held in collaboration with the German Energy Agency, or dena. It is the fulfillment of one of Chairman Kim’s pledges he made when he became chairman of WEC in 2016. He pledged to make a breakthrough for the commercialization of new energy technologies by finding talented entrepreneurs with innovative technologies and linking them up with investors.

On Sept. 9, Chairman Kim will start his official duties at the congress by giving a speech during the opening ceremony and attending several of the sessions. Of note is that he is planning to make time to encourage young leaders in the global energy field with a speech at the Future Energy Leaders (FEL) session held in parallel with the Congress. In addition, as WEC chair, he has been invited to receptions held by various countries including UAE, this year’s host country, and Russia, next year’s host country. Also, he has scheduled talks with ministers and vice ministers from countries such as China and India.

Chairman Kim will stress that innovative technology is the key to fostering the future development of the energy industry and resolving current crises like climate change. To quote from his opening speech,  “The moment we get serious about innovation, the revolution is already in motion.”

Younghoon David Kim was inaugurated as the chairman of WEC in 2016 after serving as co-chairman for 3 years, following 6 years as the vice chairman of WEC Asia-Pacific and South Asia. Thus, Chairman Kim, who has been an expert representing the Korean energy industry in WEC for 12 years, will complete his term as Chairman during this 24th World Energy Congress. After that, he will serve as an honorary chairman, advising on the overall operations of WEC by keeping in touch with the new chairman and officials in the organization’s London headquarters.

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