Trudeau heightens global energy talks
HOUSTON, Texas – With Canada’s critical role in ensuring North American energy security and also in shoring up the world’s gas supply, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to stir up global energy discussions on this year’s CERA Week here.
Trudeau will also be the recipient of Global Energy and Environment Leadership Award during the week-long energy conference which brings together all of the world’s “who’s who” and biggest players in the energy sector.
This year’s conference theme is cast upon the theme “Pace of Change: Building A New Energy Future,” which will then propel debates and plenary discussions on “the changing market at a time of turbulence and uncertainty.”
Opening plenary discussions will focus on assessing current trends and the future of oil markets, with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources Khalid A. Al-Falih; Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) SecretaryGeneral Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo and International Energy Agency (IEA) Executive Director Fatih Birol.
This year’s CERA Week will feature around 350 speakers, with energy ministers from 12 countries – including Alexander Novak of the Russian Federation; Jesse Norman of the United Kingdom; James Gordon Carr of Canada; Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei of the United Arab Emirates; Jabbar Ali Al-Luiebe of the Republic of Iraq; James Musoni of Rwanda; Chandima Weerakkody of Sri Lanka; and Dharmendra Pradhan of India.
Global chief executive officers (CEOs) of giant energy multinationals will also be comprehensively represented in the event – the likes of Exxon Mobil, Royal Dutch Shell, BP plc; Chevron, Conoco Philips, Siemens, GE, ABB, Total, Engie, Schneider Electric, and Edison International.
Sessions will similarly tackle the oil industry in transition, determining mainly what lies ahead for the sector and what are the feasible strategies moving forward.
Riveting exchange of views are also anticipated in debates revolving around the energy policy of newly-installed US President Donald Trump – with at least three American senators in attendance, namely Senators Lisa Murkowski, chairman of the US Senate Energy Committee and Natural Resources; Texas Senator John Cornyn; and Alaska Senator Daniel Sullivan.
Further discussions on climate change policy will also be pushed; as well as those on energy security and competitiveness.
On scaling innovation, topics would delve with new technologies, digitalization, robotics, big data, mobility and transportation as well as “internet of things” in the energy world.