Global Experts Participate in Future Energy Summit
2012-05-27
The Future Energy Summit, a two-day high-level conference on renewable and nuclear energy opened today (May 27), marking the launch of the Forum at the College of Law (LAWC), and drawing a number of high-profile legal, policy and economic experts from Bahrain, France, Saudi Arabia, UAE, UK and the US.
LAWC Dean Dr Hassan Okour stated that the objective of the conference was to look at the laws, regulations and institutions needed to support the development of non-fossil choices of energy. “The Summit’s objective is to bring together the expertise of our distinguished speakers on renewable and nuclear energy, in order to contribute to the discussion of a wide range of topics and to benefit from their knowledge and experience”. He stressed that discussions in the summit are in no way intended as political in nature nor designed to influence any decision on nuclear energy in the State of Qatar.
Energy and Environmental Law Forum Director Rudiger Tscherning explained that ‘the Future Energy Summit is dedicated to a discussion of the future regulatory and institutional frameworks needed to support the development of non-carbon based energy sources in the Middle East. He said that “the explosive growth in energy demand, increased industrial activities and emerging trends in regional energy choices towards renewable and nuclear energy, all underline the need for a high-level debate on what the future energy mix in the Middle East may look like in the next 20-50 years, as well as the legal regimes needed to support it”. Tscherning also stated that the conclusions and recommendations reached at the Summit will be published by the Energy Forum in a special publication.
The summit is being held under the elite sponsorship of ExxonMobil Qatar, Dolphin Energy Qatar and Kahramaa, as well as sponsorship from international law firms Herbert Smith LLP and Pinsent Masons LLP.
ExxonMobil Qatar Vice President & General Counsel Steve Dickerson commented that, “it is institutions like Qatar University and summits like this that provide people the wherewithal to address the opportunities and challenges facing our industry. The idea that collaboration and joint endeavors are crucial to the sustainable development of the State is not only held by Qatar’s academic community; it is an understanding that extends through many facets of the country”.
Dolphin Energy Qatar General Manager Adel Albuainain said: “We are proud to sponsor the Future Energy Summit. As a shining example of regional energy cooperation, we will highlight how harnessing a collective vision and high levels of ambition and innovation has helped energy security and supported industrial growth and development. Natural gas acts as a bridge between traditional and new sources of sustainable energy and will be vital to any future energy mix. We are looking forward to our participation”.