World congress to debate on sustainable development of energy
Tuesday, 13 November 2007
ROME, Nov 12 (Xinhua): The World Energy Congress, which was kicked off here in Rome of Italy yesterday, is to debate on the sustainable development and the prospects of the energy industry.
The conference, organised by the World Energy Council (WEC) every three years, lasts till Nov. 15. It is the first time for Italy to host the congress.
The ever-growing oil price, soaring recently close to the bench mark of 100 US dollars per barrel, has sent an alarming warning to the international economy, which led to widespread debate on energy.
"The price of crude oil has been doubled in 2007. The world economy is being jeopardised by high oil prices," Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi warned when addressing the opening ceremony of the conference.
The Italian prime minister said the growing oil price is being driven by speculation in the international financial market.
"This speculation must be contained in the future," he said.
He also attributed the soaring energy prices to lower investment by energy businesses, like power generation, electricity and gas companies.
He said that compared to other industrial sectors, energy businesses had invest less, and "now we are paying the price."
Prodi admitted that the high oil price has brought "great difficulty" to some countries, businesses and people's life as well.
He urged the international community to attach more importance to the energy issue and explore "global solutions" to the issue.
The prime minister also called for more eyes on energy supply, energy efficiency and the development of renewable energy.
Under the theme of "The Energy Future in an Interdependent World," the Rome conference attracted a lot of ministers, scholars and bosses from international energy businesses, including European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and Pascal Lamy, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation.
Among the leaders, Russian President Vladimir Putin Sunday sent a congratulatory message to the congress, calling for more transparency of the international energy market.
The conference, organised by the World Energy Council (WEC) every three years, lasts till Nov. 15. It is the first time for Italy to host the congress.
The ever-growing oil price, soaring recently close to the bench mark of 100 US dollars per barrel, has sent an alarming warning to the international economy, which led to widespread debate on energy.
"The price of crude oil has been doubled in 2007. The world economy is being jeopardised by high oil prices," Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi warned when addressing the opening ceremony of the conference.
The Italian prime minister said the growing oil price is being driven by speculation in the international financial market.
"This speculation must be contained in the future," he said.
He also attributed the soaring energy prices to lower investment by energy businesses, like power generation, electricity and gas companies.
He said that compared to other industrial sectors, energy businesses had invest less, and "now we are paying the price."
Prodi admitted that the high oil price has brought "great difficulty" to some countries, businesses and people's life as well.
He urged the international community to attach more importance to the energy issue and explore "global solutions" to the issue.
The prime minister also called for more eyes on energy supply, energy efficiency and the development of renewable energy.
Under the theme of "The Energy Future in an Interdependent World," the Rome conference attracted a lot of ministers, scholars and bosses from international energy businesses, including European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and Pascal Lamy, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation.
Among the leaders, Russian President Vladimir Putin Sunday sent a congratulatory message to the congress, calling for more transparency of the international energy market.