10 - Closing Remarks

Summary

Mr Kesavapany observed that the Singapore Energy Conference, spanning over a day and half, had provided valuable exposure to new ideas and thinking on energy-related issues.

In assessing the success of the conference, Mr Kesavapany referred to the three principal objectives that had guided its early conceptualization. The first objective, he explained, was to bring together academics, policy-makers and private sector operators to collectively cogitate on energy issues. The presence of leading thinkers and practitioners at the conference was testament to the realization of this goal. He noted, however, the need to provide more space for industry players.

Second, the conference was an attempt to engender an Asian consciousness on energy issues, especially with the prospect of China becoming the largest energy consumer in future, with India not far behind. It was thus essential to have a forum where Asian countries could discuss energy matters in a concerted manner, and move towards assuming major decision-making roles. In this regard, the conference had indeed succeeded as ISEAS and the Institute of Energy Economics in China had decided to hold joint discussions on energy, marking a first step to this end.

The third objective was to establish a forum for sustained dialogue on energy issues. On this front too the conference had succeeded, as it would be held on an annual basis with funding from ISEAS till the time it would be handed over to the Energy Studies Center that will be established by the Singapore Government next year.

Mr Kesavapany closed the conference by reiterating that this was only the first step in a larger endeavour to understand energy-related issues.