29th World Gas Conference Press Conference Held in Beijing

The 29th World Gas Conference will be held in Beijing from May 19 to 23, marking the first time this prestigious event is hosted in China since its inception in 1931. The conference is organized by the International Gas Union (IGU) and supported by the Beijing Municipal Government, the National Energy Administration, and the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development.

On <b>April 18</b>, the Beijing Municipal Government's Information Office held a press conference to discuss the significance of the conference for the high-quality development of energy in the capital. <b>Li Xianyu</b>, a member of the Municipal Development and Reform Commission, emphasized that the World Gas Conference is often referred to as the "Olympics of the energy sector." Its first occurrence in China, specifically in Beijing, reflects the international community's recognition of China's efforts in energy transformation and highlights Beijing's global influence as a center for international engagement and technological innovation.

This year's conference is themed "Empowering a Sustainable Future" and aims to create an important collaboration platform for "technology sharing, industry integration, and joint development." It will serve as a stage for implementing the "Global Development Initiative," deepening global energy governance cooperation, and showcasing the practices of China's modernization and its commitment to high-level opening up.

In recent years, China has been actively implementing a new energy security strategy, promoting revolutions in energy consumption, supply, technology, and systems. The country has been strengthening international energy cooperation and advancing clean, low-carbon, safe, and sustainable development in the energy sector. As China's largest natural gas consumption city and the second-largest globally, natural gas plays a crucial role in Beijing's development. Currently, the city is setting "first-class standards" to establish itself as a new high ground for global energy cooperation.

The conference will comprehensively showcase China's energy transition blueprint and the achievements of Beijing's practices, expanding the "circle of friends" in global energy cooperation and leading the formation of an open and win-win international cooperation framework for energy transformation and global governance. It will facilitate communication and collaboration between domestic and international industry organizations and enterprises, enhancing new levels of international exchange and cooperation.

The event will also emphasize digital technology innovation and green development, helping to create a new engine for energy transformation. Additionally, it will introduce innovative consumption scenarios, products, and services to enhance the accessibility of clean, low-carbon energy to the public, encouraging greater societal support and participation in energy transformation.

With guidance and support from national ministries and commissions, Beijing has established a conference management mechanism involving a "leadership group for coordination and specialized working groups for progress." The conference will focus on four key areas to ensure high-level organization:

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    <li><b>Deepening global energy governance cooperation through strategic alignment:</b> The agenda will closely align with the implementation of the Paris Agreement and the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. This will showcase China's steadfast commitment to promoting clean energy transition while advocating for the establishment of a fair and inclusive international energy governance system. The IGU and other organizations will issue the "Beijing Declaration on Low-Carbon Development in the Global Gas Industry," contributing a Chinese perspective to global energy green transitions.</li>
    <li><b>Stimulating industrial transformation through technological innovation:</b> Leveraging Beijing's advantages as an international science and technology innovation center, the conference will showcase the latest technological achievements from both domestic and international sources, attracting leading enterprises and teams to participate and creating a platform for deep collaboration among industry, academia, and research.</li>
    <li><b>Promoting interconnectedness through an open platform:</b> An innovative model of "gathering industry through conferences and promoting supply chains through exhibitions" will be adopted. This approach will facilitate multifaceted, multi-level, and cross-sectional international energy cooperation, encouraging more innovative resources to settle in Beijing and providing a "Beijing model" for the deep integration of global energy industry chains.</li>
    <li><b>Highlighting cultural integration and the capital's stature:</b> The conference will include cultural activities such as "city tours" and "technology visits," illustrating Beijing's transformation from a "Double Olympic City" to a "Double Carbon Pioneer." The organization of the conference will balance frugality with effectiveness, ensuring that every detail—from venue facilities to guest receptions—exemplifies the warmth and efficiency of "Beijing service."</li>
</ul>

Li Xianyu expressed confidence that through collective efforts, this gas conference will become a "golden business card" for China’s deepening international energy cooperation in the new era, allowing the world to witness Beijing's commitment to serving national strategies with first-class standards and to observe China's strides in high-quality development towards building a community with a shared future for humanity.