The Organizing Committee in
charge of preparing the 25th World Energy Congress, which will be
held on 24–27 October 2022 in St. Petersburg, held its fourth meeting in Moscow
chaired by the Russian Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidium of
the Russian National Committee of the World Energy Council Association
Alexander Novak.
Opening the meeting, Novak
noted the collaboration among all members of the World Energy Congress 2022 Organizing
Committee: “Today, truly active work is under way in all key areas of
preparation: we are preparing the business, cultural, and youth programmes of
the upcoming Congress, and St. Petersburg and the Expoforum venue are getting
ready for the World Energy Congress 2022 event. The invitation campaign is
successfully under way, and interaction with Russian and foreign sponsors has
been established. I am certain that these joint efforts will enable us to
fulfil the ambitious task of organizing the largest and most memorable World
Energy Congress in history,” he added.
In her welcome address, World
Energy Council Secretary General and CEO Angela Wilkinson noted the importance
of St. Petersburg hosting the World Energy Congress and the event’s role in
shaping the future of energy: “For almost a century the World Energy Congress has utilised the
collective power of the world’s energy community to turn ideas and inspiration
into meaningful and lasting action. The Council’s tri-annual gathering brings
together leaders and industry experts from across the globe working together to
shape the future of energy.
“The coming congress in St
Petersburg will be a celebration of the role of people and communities in
driving change and a demonstration of why humanising energy is the best way to
ensure diverse and connected energy societies flourish together through the
energy transition. We will be bringing together a broad range of energy
producers and stakeholders, from both the traditional oil and gas industry and
the growing renewables and other new energy sectors. The Congress provides a
fantastic opportunity to showcase the most exciting and ground-breaking
advances in energy and provide a unique space for informed leadership dialogue
about how we can place people at the heart of the energy transition,” said Dr.
Angela Wilkinson.
Adviser to the Russian
President and Executive Secretary of the World Energy Congress 2022 Organizing
Committee Anton Kobyakov shared details of preparations for the World Energy
Congress 2022. “The Congress will feature innovative advances in energy and
introduce the people behind them. It will offer a unique space for new
partnerships, deals, and an information exchange in all sectors and industries.
The invitation campaign is actively under way: more than 120 energy ministers
and 140 heads of major foreign companies have been invited. I am certain that
the discussions in St Petersburg between representatives of the new generation of
energy will seek to get people involved in a dialogue, provide an understanding
of the needs of those affected by the energy transition, eliminate its social
implications, and also serve to ensure joint innovations and the implementation
of common ideas,” he noted.
Speaking about the cultural
programme of the World Energy Congress 2022, Russian State Secretary and Deputy
Minister of Culture Alla Manilova said: “It’s crucial that there is no doubt
whatsoever about our hospitality. Leading federal museums and theatres will
offer a bright palette of events that will be popular among the guests of the
Congress. St. Petersburg will also open the doors of its institutions to
delegates.”
In his speech on the
activities of the World Energy Congress Russian National Committee, Executive
Director of the Russian National Committee of the World Energy Council
Association Alexey Gospodarev spoke about the Congress’s youth programme,
specifically the upcoming Summit of Future Energy Leaders, which will be held
as part of the World Energy Congress 2022 programme. Gospodarev said that more
than 700 undergraduate and post-graduate students from Russian and foreign
universities will take part in a parallel youth event that is being implemented
jointly with the St. Petersburg Mining University and several related events.
Moscow State Institute of International Relations of the Russian Ministry of
Foreign Affairs will also be involved in preparing the youth programme of the
World Energy Congress. In his presentation, Gospodarev devoted special
attention to Russia’s position in the World Energy Trilemma Index, a global
rating compiled by the World Energy Council.
St. Petersburg Governor
Alexander Beglov wrapped up the meeting of the Organizing Committee by
reporting about the city’s preparedness to host leaders of the energy industry
and the experience the city has gained from hosting major international
conventions and exhibitions.
The 25th World
Energy Congress, which is dedicated to the centenary of the World Energy
Council, will take place on 24–27 October 2022 in St. Petersburg. The next
meeting of the event’s Organizing Committee will take place in February 2022.
