LONDON, United Kingdom, 12 October 2020: The World Energy Council and the Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation on October 9, the closing day of World Energy Week, announced the theme of the 2022 World Energy Congress as ‘Energy for Humanity. The Congress, into its 25^th edition, will take place from October 24 to 27 in St Petersburg, Russia, the World Energy Council said through a Press release.

Dr Angela Wilkinson, Secretary General & CEO, World Energy Council and Alexander Novak, Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation, made the announcement. The Congress, to be hosted by the Russian Federation, is being jointly organised by the World Energy Council and the Roscongress Foundation.

Dr Wilkinson said: “We often forget that essentially, energy is a story about humanity. Human development has always been linked to energy transition; from fire, to hydrocarbons and on to cleaner alternatives, like renewables, it’s always been about peoples’ lives and society’s evolution. Energy has propelled society forward for thousands of years.

“Looking ahead, new models of human and economic development – digital, circular, clean and just – will require more energy, at least in the medium term. If we really want to focus on the future of the human race, we need to balance our approach to managing the energy transition. We need better cooperation between energy and other sectors to deliver more energy and less carbon – clean, affordable, reliable and equitable energy for everyone and the environment.

“Energy for Humanity is the theme of the 25th World Energy Congress in St Petersburg, which will mark the 100th anniversary of our worldwide energy community movement. We will convene the entire energy community – governments, companies, communities and customers – and provide a jewel-in-the crown, action-packed learning experience. We will have serious, down-to-earth conversations about how to humanise energy and accelerate the transformation of energy systems across the world. The Council exists to inspire, inform and impact actions that secure clean, affordable, reliable and equitable energy for all.”

Novak said: “We are proud to host the 25th World Energy Congress in 2022, and we look forward to welcoming the international energy community and global stakeholders in St Petersburg. Over the past decades, World Energy Congress has become one of the most important centers of gravity for the discussion on the global energy sector. Today, the energy sector, as a whole, is facing a number of known long-term challenges that impact the future of our civilization, including the need for environmental protection, providing humanity with affordable access to energy and securing reliable energy generating capacity for future development.

“In Russia, we fully acknowledge the need to develop clean technologies, particularly those centered on carbon sequestration, purification and processing technologies, development of renewable energy sources and hydrogen energy. At the same time, we have to face the substantial global energy inequality. Around two billion people, constituting over a quarter of the world’s population, do not have access to modern energy sources. This is also a serious sustainability issue related to long-term survival and development. With that, traditional energy sources are expected to make up a significant portion of the planet’s energy balance even through 2050.

“Russia, one of the largest global energy suppliers, supports the development vector for clean technology in line with the Paris Agreement and in the framework of OPEC+ member country meetings. At the same time, as a responsible manufacturer and exporter, we are also interested in creating the right conditions to support the market for quality and accessible energy.

“The underlying theme selected for the World Energy Congress unites the global energy sector and all its stakeholders, bringing us closer, instilling confidence in finding appropriate solutions and a long-term balance. I am certain that we will be able to hold meaningful and detailed discussions in the spirit of mutual respect and understanding, converge positions of various parties and come to an agreement on a wide range of questions at the Congress in St Petersburg.”

In 2019, the 24^th Congress, in Abu Dhabi, highlighted the shift to a customer-centric energy future and the new power of demand-side, disruptive innovation, the Council said.

The St Petersburg Congress and associated events, the Council said, will focus on examining practical tools and realistic approaches to keeping the future of energy open to new and better possibilities that are crucial to a sustainable future for all.

The Congress, the Council said, is preceded by two years of energised “Road to Congress” virtual events to explore the theme of Energy for Humanity.

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