Prof. Hidetoshi Nishimura, Executive Director of ERIA participated in the 14th International Energy Forum (IEF) held in Moscow on May 15-16, 2014.

With theme on "The New Geography of Energy and the Future of Global Energy Security, this year's forum was inaugurated by H.E. Dmitry Medvedev, Prime Minister of Russian Federation and attracted more than 500 eminent persons including Ministers, heads of international organizations, industry executives and thought leaders.

At the invitation of IEF, Prof. Nishimura made a key note presentation on "Transition to a Low-carbon Economy: Realistic Goal or Science fiction?" highlighting ERIA's research findings in the Plenary Session 3 moderated by H.E. Mohamed bin Hamad Al Rumhi, Minister of oil and Gas of Oman. Prof. Nishimura exchanged views on the policies and actions required to promote a transition to a lower carbon emitting economy that also meets the needs of energy security and addresses energy poverty in the region. Ministers from Afghanistan, United Arab Emirates, Argentina joined Prof. Nishimura in discussing the practical approaches that balance the objectives of low carbon economy with the realities of contemporary market conditions.

On the sidelines of the Forum, Prof. Nishimura had bilateral meeting with the Secretary Generals of Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and Gus Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) as well as International Energy Forum (IEF) and explored the avenues for working together on issues affecting sustainable energy development in the region. He also met the heads of the delegation from Brunei, China, India, Philippines and Russia and pledged support for their country action plans through ERIA's research and capacity building activities.

Photo below / from upper left:

-H.E. Pehin dato Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar, Miniser of Energy of Brunei Darussalam

-H.E. Abdalla Salem El Badri, Secretary General of OPEC

-H.E. Aldo Flores-Quiroga, Secretary General of IEF

-H.E. Mr. Seyed Mohammad Hossein Adeli, Secretary General of GECF