Energy: 60 Countries in Athens for the “World Forum on Energy Regulation”
Milan, August 17, 2009
Italian versionOver 1,000 representatives of governments, international institutions, regulatory authorities, policy makers, universities, and businesses from 60 countries will take part in the World Forum on Energy Regulation (WFER IV), the main international conference on energy regulation, to be held in Athens from 18th through 21st October.
The World Forum on Energy Regulation is held every three years, and this year it is being organized by the Greek Energy Regulatory Authority (RAE) and the Council of European Energy Regulators (CEER), at the request of the world’s energy Regulatory Authorities. The previous editions had been organized in Washington in 2006, Rome in 2003 (by the Italian Regulatory Authority), and Montreal in 2000.
The Forum will mark the occasion of the passing of the baton from the G8 of Energy Regulators, recently held in Rome, and the World Forum on Energy Regulation in Athens. The focus of the Conference proceedings will be the document approved in Rome by the energy Regulatory Authorities and their international Associations, which met for the G8 at the invitation of the Italian Government; this document highlights the Regulators’ suggestions and commitments for contributing to the overcoming of the crisis, to recovery, and to the development of energy supply investments, quality, cost- effectiveness, and security. More in detail, Regulators, referring also to the necessity to ensure adequate levels of independence and decision-making power for their role, evaluate as very positive the initiatives for an increasingly more efficient use of energy, for the removal of the barriers hindering its commercial trade, for fighting the market distortions (especially those of the oil market), and for simple, transparent, and prompt authorization procedures that facilitate the creation of energy infrastructures.
In the same G8 document, the Regulators agree to assume, collectively as well, an active role for the promotion and creation of modern regional-level energy markets, in order to contribute to taking up the challenge against climatic change, for the dissemination of the best available technologies, and to alleviate “energy poverty” and protect the most vulnerable consumers.
The proceedings of the fourth edition of the WFER in Athens will also concern the new international trends in the field of energy regulation and the recent developments in the energy industry. Numerous in-depth discussion sessions are also planned; they are organized around four key themes: reliability and security of supplies; the role of the Regulators in response to climate change; competition and accessibility; independence, powers, responsibilities, best practices, and training of Regulators.
- The above-mentioned G8 document (G8+ Energy Regulation Statement) is available for consultation on the Italian Energy Regulatory Authority’s website at: http://www.autorita.energia.it/allegati/com_stampa/09/G8_ERS_ITA.pdf.
- Information and registration instructions can be found at http://www.worldforumiv.info/Program.html and www.autorita.energia.it