01 February 2008

GPPi holds 3rd “Transatlantic Energy Security Dialogues“ session

The Global Public Policy Institute, Berlin (GPPi) held its 3rd “Transatlantic Energy Security Dialogues” (TESD) session from 31 January – 1 February 2008 at the Schloßhotel Cecilienhof in Potsdam (just outside Berlin). The event, entitled “The Changing Rules of the Game: Global Energy Governance and the Transatlantic Agenda”, was conducted in partnership with the Dräger Foundation and with additional support from the German Marshall Fund of the United States and the European Commission. The TESD conferences are part of GPPi’s recently launched global energy governance research program entitled “Changing rules of the game: Global energy governance in the 21st century” conducted in partnership with the New America Foundation. More information on the research program can be found at www.globalenergygovernance.net.

This conference was designed to present the research framework of GPPi’s research program and, in close collaboration with researchers, policymakers and industry experts, to further refine key research questions. The conference started with an opening speech outlining the issues of global energy governance in the 21st century, panel discussions then proceeded to examine the main challenges for energy governance institutions that: 1) regulate investment by setting rules on financial markets; 2) govern investment treaties and via bilateral, regional and global trade agreements; and finally, 3) address short-term supply risks on the consumers’ side and manage supply on the producers’ side. These institutional settings were also analyzed with respect to the three main trends currently transforming the dynamics of the global energy market, specifically the rise of new consumers (i.e. China and India); the increasing role of state players on oil and gas markets; and the elevation of climate protection and domestic resource governance to "high energy politics". Two panel discussions addressed the first two issues followed by the formation of small working groups which discussed some of the specific challenges and questions facing global energy governance institutions based upon the three main trends outlined above. A third session of working groups focused on the third issue followed by a keynote speech and additional panel discussion which solicited additional input on transatlantic policy options.

Confirmed speakers for the conference included: Viktor Elbling (Commissioner for International Energy Policy, Globalization and Sustainable Development, German Federal Foreign Office), Peter Eigen (Chairman, Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI)), Alan Hegburg (Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Energy Policy, US Department of Energy), Graeme W. Preston (Principal Administrator, Directorate-General for Energy and Transport, European Commission), Joachim Pfeiffer (Member of the German Parliament, CDU-CSU), and Randy Gossen (President, World Petroleum Council), among others.

GPPi‘s "Transatlantic Energy Security Dialogues" (TESD) program has continually attracted a broad range of participants and experts on key energy security issues. These meetings, which encourage the participation of experts representing government, business, the research community and civil society, promote an in-depth exchange of views among the different communities in the energy security debate. The program also seeks to promote a new definition of energy security which intrinsically includes the issues of environmental sustainability and good governance. In 2007, GPPi held two TESD sessions, the first focused on the effects of the "new consumers" (China and India) on global energy governance institutions and the second on experiences and challenges of energy market liberalization in the US and the EU. To view the agendas, conference reports and list of participants for these conferences, please visit www.gppi.net/debate/tesd.

To download a conference agenda and list of participants, please click here.

For more information, please contact Wade Hoxtell.

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