IEA Executive Director visits Republic of Korea

Fatih Birol, IEA Executive Director, was in Korea on an official visit on 1 - 2 September 2016. He met with Joo Hyunghwan, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, with their discussions concentrating on expectations for a re-balancing of global oil markets and on the progress countries are making on climate policy since the Paris UN Climate Conference (COP 21) ended last December. They also spoke about recent developments in Korean energy policy, including opening up electricity and gas markets, increasing renewable energy production and improving energy efficiency – all topics much debated in other IEA countries.

Birol also met with Syekyun Chung, the Speaker of the National Assembly. Their talks focused on the implications of developments in global energy markets on Korea’s own energy landscape, as well as the efforts underway to modernise the IEA, particularly through closer engagement with countries in Asia.

His other engagements during the visit included participation in Korea Energy Economics Institute’s 30th Anniversary International Conference ‘Future Energy System under New Climate Change Regime’, which was presided over by Joo Heon Park, President (KEEI). Birol delivered the keynote address on Global energy prospects and policy priorities post COP-21.

On the first day of the visit, Birol was in Busan to attend the 17^th World Clean Air Congress and 9^th CAA Better Air Quality Conference to present the recent World Energy Outlook Special Report on Air Pollution at an event that attracted around 1000 attendees.

Adapted from press release by Rosalie Starling

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/refining/05092016/iea-executive-director-visits-republic-of-korea-4019/