Update on the 27th World Gas Conference By Jay Copan
Planning is well under way for the 27th World
on advocacy on behalf of the global gas ind
Gas Conference (WGC), to be held from June
ustry. The active role that IGU has played in
25-29, 2018 at the Walter E. Washington
events such as COP 21 in Paris and the recent
Convention Center in Washington DC. Under
G20 meeting in Beijing, means that policy
the direction of the National Organising
makers are significantly more engaged with
Committee (NOC), chaired by Dave McCurdy,
IGU than has been the case in the past. And
President and CEO of the American Gas
these policymakers, along with a wide range
Association (AGA), and working closely with
of other constituencies, will play a significantly
the IGU Secretariat, the WGC team, led by IGU
greater role at WGC 2018 than has occurred
President David Carroll, is developing a market-
in the past.
based programme for the event, recognising all
x The 27th World Gas Conference will be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and promises an innovative programme focused around Access, Markets and Social Licence.
Indeed, WGC 2018 will engage a very wide
of the key issues and opportunities facing the
variety of constituencies as part of the pro
global gas industry over the coming years.
gramme and exhibition. For example, just some
With the support of the 1,000 member IGU
of these groups include:
committee network the team is preparing the
◆ WGC 2018 is currently engaged with the
most timely and topical programme ever
177 resident embassies in the Washington
conducted in a WGC – a programme that will
DC area, through our Global Ambassadors
focus on three key areas – �Access, Markets
Network. The Italian Embassy is hosting a
and Social Licence.
very special event for the Washington DC
The 27th WGC will be the first to take advantage of the sharply increased IGU focus
diplomatic corps and other key industry leaders and policymakers on November 1, 2016, that will focus on the growing opportunities for the global gas industry. ◆ The first ever WGC Financial Advisory Board (FAB) has been formed, under the leadership of Bill White of Lazard Houston, and Steven Miles of BakerBotts. Fourteen leading financial institutions across the globe are represented on the FAB. They are: Standard Bank; US Capital Advisors; Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation; Citigroup; Moody’s Investors Service; The World Bank: International Finance Corpor ation; Societe Generale; Japan Bank for International Cooperation; Macquarie; Evercore ISI; JPMorgan; Edward Jones and Mubadala Development Company. Within this diverse group of global institutions are
54 U p d a t e o n t h e 2 7 t h W o r l d G a s C o n f e r e n c e
