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First Asia Energy Forum coming to Guangzhou

(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-05-19 18:29

The first Energy Forum Asia will be held in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province, on August 9 this year, with Wu Jianmin, a well-known diplomat and social activist, acting as secretary general.

"Energy Revolution: Growth, Green and Cooperation" will be the focus of the forum, aimed at establishing a long lasting communication mechanism for sustainable energy development in Asia.

The forum will explore efforts in assessing international energy situations and development to find ways for Asian countries to develop their own low-carbon economies.

"The upcoming Asia Energy Forum will serve as a platform for government officials, specialists and company leaders from the energy industry of various countries and regions to exchange experiences and forge new partnerships to respond to clean energy challenges in Asia," Wu said.

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As the influence of the global financial crisis rippled from the financial sector to the real economy, the world economy is facing more and more challenges. Access to energy supplies is becoming tenser, prompting countries all around the world to look for new solutions.

Wu confirmed Guangzhou is designated as the fixed host city for the forum. Guangdong province was the pioneer in China in use of outside resources for the past three decades.

The province - which lacks natural resources and energy - purchases more than 90 percent of its coal, crude oil and other energy from other parts of the country and the rest of the world to support its economic development. As one of China's economic powerhouses, its GDP accounted for more than 10 percent of the country's total in recent years.

Guangdong has few energy resources, but it has great potential in developing nuclear power for its electricity needs, according to Wu.

The local government has attached great importance to the forum, as it has caught the eyes of leading energy institutions and companies.

So far, the forum has received support from the International Energy Agency, the World Bank as well as governments and related institutions of Asian countries including China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates and India. More than ten governments have called or sent letters to express their wishes to join the forum, along with more than 300 enterprises from the energy industry.

Judging from the forum's registration numbers, there will be a strong showing, with more than 500 enterprises expected to be in attendance in August.