Aberdeen’s Lord Provost Barney Crockett is flying the flag for the city at CERAWeek, the international gathering of energy industry leaders, experts, government officials and policy makers held annually in Houston, Texas.
CERAWeek is taking place from Monday, March 11 to Friday, March 15 and 2019 marks the 38th anniversary of this influential event ranked among the top five “corporate leader” conferences in the world.
On his return journey from the United States of America the Lord Provost will travel via Guyana to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Aberdeen and the City of Georgetown.
CERAWeek 2019 will provide new insights on the future of energy and an unparalleled opportunity to engage on the most urgent issues with decision-makers from around the world.
In what is a packed itinerary the Lord Provost will address delegates on the subject of hydrogen and participate in a variety of business sessions and workshops on topics including: reshaping the city of the future; women in energy; the future of renewables in the power mix; hydrogen as a clean energy fuel; global oil; and what does the hydrogen transportation economy look like?
Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State will give a keynote speech on geopolitics and energy security, which will be attended by the mayors representing the World Energy Cities Partnership (WECP) including the Lord Provost who is vice-president of the WECP and Mike Savage, president of the WECP and mayor of the City of Halifax (Canada).
As vice-president of WECP it is a very important year for the Lord Provost as the City of Aberdeen will host the WECP AGM from Wednesday, September 4, to and including Saturday 07 September 2019. The AGM coincides with SPE Offshore Europe which will be held from Tuesday 03 September to and including Friday 06 September in Aberdeen.
The Lord Provost of Aberdeen Barney Crockett said: “CERAWeek is a renowned international gathering of energy industry leaders and it is essential that the City of Aberdeen is represented on this global stage.
“Aberdeen has been a global energy powerhouse for decades, and this continues to be the case thanks to our forward thinking in terms of renewables and hydrogen energy. Cities across the world are keen to hear first-hand about our experience.
“CERAWeek also provides a fantastic opportunity for members of the World Energy Cities Partnership to meet up and engage on the major issues with decision-makers from around the world.
On Thursday, March 14, the Lord Provost will leave Houston and travel to Georgetown, the capital of Guyana. On Friday, March 15, he will join the mayor of Georgetown Ubraj Narine, to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Aberdeen and the City of Georgetown. The signing will be witnessed by their excellencies Hamley Case, Guyana high commissioner to the UK, and Greg Quinn, UK high commissioner to Guyana.
During his time in Georgetown the Lord Provost will meet with other key government officials from the Ministry of Communities, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Business, and representatives from the private sector and academia.
The Lord Provost added: “Guyana has one of the world’s fastest-growing oil and gas industries and with the extensive oil and gas business experience and acumen here in Aberdeen it makes sense to sign a Memorandum of Understanding. There is huge potential for local businesses, academia and cultural opportunities here and in Georgetown – it’s very exciting time for both cities.”