Media FAQ

What is the World Energy Council (WEC) ?

• WEC is the foremost multi-energy organisation in the world today.
• WEC's Mission is to promote the sustainable supply and use of energy for the greatest benefit of all people.
• WEC has Member Committees in nearly 100 countries, including most of the largest energy-producing and energy consuming countries.
• It is headquartered in London, UK; WEC is accredited by the United Nations, with official advisory status.
• The organisation covers all types of energy, including coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear, hydro, and renewables.
• WEC was founded in 1923.

What is the World Energy Congress?

• The Congress is a key gathering point for all the world's energy leaders.
• It brings together more than 3,500 leaders from the energy sector, representing industry, governments, international organizations, the academic and research community and associations.
• The Congress is held every three years, in alternation with the World Petroleum Congress (2008) and the World Gas Congress (2009)
• It is the largest international event organized by the World Energy Council.

Why is the World Energy Congress a crucial event?

• Between now and 2020, world energy needs will grow steadily, with prices rising significantly.
• World demand for energy is expected to double by 2050.
• One third of the world’s population does not have a reliable energy supply.
• The energy sector is faced with overwhelming problems of environmental, social and political acceptability.
• It is urgent to reduce CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere, although 86% of the world’s energy comes from fossil fuels, which raise CO2 levels.
• The world economy and finances are currently undergoing major disruptions.

What are the four principal themes of the Montréal Congress?

• Day 1 Challenge | ACCESSIBILITY
  Meeting Energy Demand a Global Challenge Requires Global Solutions
•  Day 2 Challenge | AVAILABILITY
  What is the Right Energy Mix for Long Term Stability?
• Day 3 Challenge | ACCEPTABILITY
  Energy Solutions for a Living Planet
• Day 4 Challenge | ACCOUNTABILITY
  Policies, Regulations and Financing

How did Montréal become the host city of the 21st World Energy Congress?

• In 2000, Canada announced its candidacy as host of the 21st World Energy Congress.
• Then, at the Executive Assembly of the World Energy Council in Kiev in 2003, through the sustained efforts of the Energy Council of Canada, governments and certain partners, Canada was named host country for the 21st Congress.
• Previous editions of the World Energy Council had been hosted by world class cities on different continents: Madrid in 1992, Tokyo in 1995, Houston in 1998, Buenos Aires in 2001, Sydney in 2004 and Rome in 2007.

What position does Canada occupy on the world energy scene?

• Canada is a major player thanks to its abundant natural resources.
• It is the world’s number one producer of uranium and hydroelectricity.
• It is the third largest producer of natural gas in the world.
• It has the second largest reserves of crude oil in the world: production from the oil sands alone is expected to reach 2.7 million barrels a day by 2015.
• The energy sector is one of the main engines of Canada’s economy.
• This sector represents about 6% of GDP.

What speakers have been selected to take part in the Montréal Congress?

• The Congress brings together the most influential leaders in the energy industry, representing companies, governments and international agencies, as well as the academic and research community and associations.
• Several top-calibre CEOs, ministers, thinkers and researchers have already confirmed their intention to attend the Montréal 2010 World Energy Congress.

What will the Montréal Declaration contain?

• All the discussions at the Congress will contribute to the WEC Montréal 2010 Declaration, an official statement which will present the conclusions of the Congress and determine the World Energy Council’s plan of action for the next three years, until WEC Daegu in South Korea in 2013.

 

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