With the world’s fossil fuels destined to expire, it is up to countries and leaders to secure viable energy sources for the future.

Based on this growing global awareness, the 22nd World Energy Congress is to be held in Daegu on Oct. 13-17 under the theme “Securing Tomorrow’s Energy Today.”

This is the third WEC session to be hosted in Asia, following the previous ones held in India and Japan in 1983 and 1995, respectively.

The WEC, initiated in 1924, is a triennial event hosted by the World Energy Council and attended by some 140 member states.

This year’s congress will provide a forum for up to 25,000 participants to learn about the latest products and opportunities in the energy sector, as well as to serve as a platform for stakeholders in the related industries, according to officials.

“In 1850, fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas accounted for a mere 5 percent of the world’s energy but the figure has now risen to 80 percent,” said Cho Hwan-eik, chairman of Korea’s WEC organizing committee and CEO of the state-run Korea Electric Power Corporation.

“It is now time to assess whether there will be enough energy sources available to support a global economy which is expected to reach some $130 trillion by the year 2030.”

The key questions on energy may be summed up as the so-called energy trilemma, according to Pierre Gadonneix, chairman of the WEC and honorary chairman of France’s state-run power supplier lectricit de France.

He pointed out three key questions to consider: Will there be enough energy to meet the growing demand among the rich and poor nations? How can energy supplies be protected against disruptions? And how will efforts to mitigate climate change affect access to future energy sources?

The contents of the congress will thus be classified into four categories, according to energy source: nuclear, renewables, the resurgence of natural gas and the future of oil.

To exchange opinions on the issue, about 200 speakers from 56 countries have been confirmed, including state ministers, senior representatives of global organizations and CEOs of the world’s largest energy companies.

The list includes high-ranking figures from the Middle East, such as Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, the United Arab Emirates’ minister of energy, Yasser Mufti, chairman of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, and Khalid Al-Falih, CEO of Saudi Aramco.

Representing Western society and industries are Peter Voser, CEO of Royal Dutch Shell, Steve Bolze, CEO of General Electric, and WEC officials.

One reason that Korea was selected as the host of this year’s gathering is the growing significance of Asia in the world energy innovation forum, the WEC president explained.

“Ever since the Fukushima tsunami and the resulting radiation leak in 2011, Asia has been the subject of great attention in terms of energy management,” said Gadonneix.

“Also, Korea is widely recognized worldwide as a vanguard case study for its visionary yet pragmatic energy and climate policies, compromising a wide variety of issues from nuclear to renewable.”

Those who wish to participate in the six-day event may register at the official website (www.daegu2013.kr) by Sept. 15 or sign up on-site during the congress period.

By Bae Hyun-jung (tellme@heraldcorp.com)