Thank you for your kind introduction.

As I begin, I would like to express my appreciation to the Japan Energy Association for hosting today’s highly topical event.

Today we will be addressing the issue of pursuing sustainability. In 2010 this assessment of country energy and climate policies is more vital than ever.  I look forward to a serious and substantial discussion of these issues by our distinguished panel of experts.

Assessment and policy studies are among two of the most important activities of the World Energy Council or WEC.  I embody my commitment to the global energy community through my service as WEC Regional Vice Chair for Asia-Pacific and South Asia.

I think the best way to understand WEC and what we do is to briefly compare WEC with two other distinguished international organizations: OPEC and the IEA.

To begin with, both OPEC and the IEA deal mainly with one type of energy, which is oil, whereas WEC is a multi-energy forum.  This forum encompasses all types of energy including oil, coal, natural gas, nuclear, hydro, and renewables.

Second, OPEC and the IEA are interest groups that are limited to serving the narrow scope of concerns of their members who are oil exporters and oil importers respectively.  WEC, on the other hand, transcends commercial and political interests, and offers a platform for dialogue for all members of the energy community. At WEC we pride ourselves on looking for sustainable global solutions through sustainable partnerships, which is something that neither OPEC nor the IEA has the capacity to do with the same effectiveness.
Third, OPEC, and the IEA are restricted to representing largely the public voice.  WEC not only well understands public policy, but also we know what the private interests are as well as what other major groups, such as academics and NGOs, have to contribute to the energy dialogue. 

Specifically, let me give you one example.  Say, a developing country would really like to employ some renewable energy solutions to address its energy needs.  Yet, since implementing a renewable energy system tends to involve a great deal of risk, it may be reluctant to do so.  In this case, WEC can be a good platform and provide excellent networking for such a high risk venture by bringing together the public sector for financing and the private sector for its ideas and innovation.

In summary, WEC is a multi-energy, broadly based non-commercial organization that represents all stakeholders.  These stakeholders include both the public and private sectors as well as exporters and importers. Thus, we can take on major challenges like addressing climate change and energy security.

One of the most important examples I can cite of WEC’s ability to offer total solutions comes from my own personal experience.  My colleague in WEC Asia is NDRC Vice Chair Zhang Guobao.  I’m sure you’ll all recall the rapid rise in oil prices that occurred just a few years ago.  At that time, my feeling was that this was an unsubstantiated rise in prices fueled by speculation more than anything else.  In consultation with Vice Chair Zhang we could convene a meeting of the world’s five leading oil ministers and promote a way to curb this type of reckless speculation.  We saw immediate results and the price of oil quickly stabilized. 

Thus, recognized as the leading multi-energy organization in the world, WEC is the only truly global and inclusive forum for thought leadership and tangible engagement committed to a sustainable energy future.  We have a network of over 90 national Member Committees representing over 3,000 member organizations, including governments, industry, and expert institutions.

Established in 1923, WEC works in six main areas:  energy and climate policy assessment, energy policy scenarios, energy resources and technologies, rural energy access, urban innovation, and last but not least, global energy frameworks, including energy trade rules and COP.

In each of these areas, WEC targets specific stakeholders, working at the local level with committees and at the global level with governments and organizations such as the UN and the World Trade Organization.  With the involvement of mayors, energy ministers, and CEOs of energy companies, WEC aims to promote a sustainable energy future by fostering dialogue and debate, encouraging the development of sustainable energy policies, and facilitating the exchange of information and ideas.
Just a little over two months ago, the World Energy Congress was successfully held in Montreal, Canada.  This congress, the premier international multi-energy forum and exhibition, was an opportunity for participants to better understand energy issues and solutions from a global perspective.  In Montreal, over 6,000 delegates from 137 countries including some 70 ministers participated in a comprehensive program.

The Congress, which is held once every three years, had an energy exhibition on the sidelines that attracted 175 companies including practically all the world’s leading energy companies.  The Congress activities also included a Future Energy Leaders Program for over 300 young energy specialists under 32 years old

In 2013, the World Energy Congress returns to Asia.  It will be held in Daegu, Korea from October 13 to 17, 2013.  At this Congress we expect high level attendance from not only energy companies, but also representatives from the public sector, international organizations, and academia and private think-tanks. 

At the Daegu Congress I look forward to WEC providing the catalyst that will spark an effective response to the needs of both developing and developed countries as well as create what I like to describe as being an “innovative, sustainable partnership” between producer and consumer, the public and private, and a variety of energy types.

I would like to issue my personal invitation to everyone present here today to come to Daegu. Not only will this be WEC’s finest Congress yet, but also participants will have the opportunity to network and showcase products at the exhibition and experience a variety of exciting cultural activities. 
As I close, let me emphasize how grateful I am for this opportunity to visit Japan once again and have the honor of participating in today’s Symposium.

Thank you very much.