The World Energy Congress was kicked off in Rome of Italy,
aiming to debate on the sustainable development and the prospects
of the energy industry.
The conference, organized 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
benchmark of US$100 per barrel, in the international market has
sent an alarming warning to the international economy, which led to
widespread debate on 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 Organization.
Apart from exchanging views on the future of the energy
industry, a major exhibition on energy technology and equipment was
being held in parallel with the congress.
(Xinhua News Agency November 12, 2007)
