Summary of the Baltic Regional Energy Forum

Political and Business leaders from the Baltic and neighbouring countries met at the Baltic Regional Energy Forum, which took place on 11–13 June 2007 at the Riga Latvian Society house in Riga, Latvia. Public figures and businessmen, Latvian and foreign diplomats, companies and public organisations frequently use the premises of the RLS for social events and business meetings.

The Baltic Regional Energy Forum was an excellent opportunity for the politicians, business professionals, industry and academic experts not only to meet each other in order to establish and advance business contacts, but also to discuss significant energy issues. This Forum promoted further overview of energy sector processes of the Baltic Region in European and global context and facilitated its participants in making strategically important economic and business decisions.

The Baltic Regional Energy Forum was organised by the Baltic Economic Forum with the support of the Government of Latvia and in co-operation with the U.S. Embassy in Latvia. As a result of such successful co-operation the Baltic Regional Energy Forum gathered together highly professional speakers and audience. The contribution of organisers allowed creating an informative and thought challenging atmosphere at the event.

The Baltic Regional Energy Forum was sponsored by Vitol Services and Areva. Furthermore Latvenergo was a Partner of the Forum. Additionally, Baltic Regional Energy Forum received great support from many Latvian, Baltic and European organisations and companies. Among them were not only such traditionally dedicated supporters of Baltic Economic Forum as Latvian Employers’ Confederation, Estonian Employers’ Confederation, Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists, Latvian Chamber of Commerce, but newcomers Latvian-American Financial Forum, American Chamber of Commerce in Latvia, Law firm “Valters Gencs” as well.

The Forum was organized in co-operation with General Electric and participation of E.ON Ruhrgas and Latvijas Gaze.

325 delegates took part in the Forum representing Austria, Belgium, Estonia, Finland, France, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and United States of America. The Forum brought together leading politicians, government officials, academic experts, diplomats, CEOs of major local and international companies, investors and economists.

The first chart gives breakdown of participants by countries. Most (64%) of the participants were from Latvia. Delegates from Lithuania as well as from Estonia made up 9% of all Forum participants. Other countries represented in the Baltic Regional Energy Forum were Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK and USA that made up together the remaining 18%.

The powerful team of high-profile speakers of the Forum presented the most important aspects of energy sector. A total of 41 speakers delivered their speeches and presentations during two days of the Forum. Speakers represented the Parliament and the Cabinet of Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Ministries of Economy, Ministry of the Foreign Affairs, Departments of State, Governmental Institutions, Academy of Sciences, Embassies, consulting and energy companies of Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, France, Russia, Sweden and USA.

The Forum was full of insightful presentations and discussions on the topical issues of energy development, the growth potential of the Baltic countries, energy co-operation with Europe and Russia.

Information on the Baltic Regional Energy Forum was broadly covered in the media (newspapers, magazines, television, radio, Internet) before the event, during and after the Forum. 59 journalists represented the following media: news agencies: LETA, Interfax, Agence France-Press, Associated Press, Deutsche Presse-Agentur DPA, Reuters News Agency, BNS, NEG “Latvijas Reitingi”; newspapers: “The Baltic Times”, “Diena”, “Chas”, “Bloomberg News”, “Telegraf”, “Bizness&Baltija”, “Neatkariga Rita Avize”, “Vesti Segodnja”, “Dienas Bizness”, “Ritdiena”, “Latvijas Vestnesis” “Aripaev”; magazines: “Energija un Pasaule”, “Energetika un Automatizacija”, “Baltic Course”, “Karjera”, “The Economist”; radio: “Latvijas radio”; television: Latvian Television (State television), “Pirmais Baltijas Kanals”, “TV of Azerbaijan”.

It can be strongly concluded that the Baltic Regional Energy Forum had a great success, which is proved by large number of participants representing different sectors with an opportunity to share opinions and experience on a wide range energy sector issues, as well as opportunity to establish new business contacts.

LBS International Conferences was coordinator of the Forum

www.conferences.lv  // www.lbsglobal.com  // www.balticeconomicforum.com