Kazutomo IRIE

President

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is a framework for economic cooperation involving 21 Asia-Pacific countries and regions (called “economies”). APEC comprises forums such as the Leaders’ Meeting, the Ministerial Meeting and Sectoral Ministerial Meetings. The Energy Working Group (EWG), under the direction of the Energy Ministerial Meeting (EMM), is active in the energy sector.

To support these activities, the Asia Pacific Energy Research Centre (APERC) was established in 1996 in Tokyo following the directive of APEC Leaders in the Osaka Action Agenda.

The primary objective of APERC is to help foster a common understanding of, and solutions to, the energy challenges facing APEC member economies. This is accomplished through the study and analysis of each APEC member economy’s energy demand and supply trends, the future energy demand and supply outlook, the development of the energy market, and responses to policy challenges. APERC is also developing a database of statistics necessary for energy research in the APEC region and is providing training designed to improve research capabilities.

The APEC region, and particularly Asia, has achieved significant economic growth in recent years, which has been accompanied by rapid growth in energy consumption. The APEC region now accounts for around 60% of total global energy consumption. Meanwhile, the environment surrounding energy has been changing rapidly in recent years, reflecting fluctuations in the supply and price of oil, the shale gas revolution, and the accelerated introduction of renewable energy.

APERC will continue to do its utmost to meet expectations in addressing energy and environmental challenges in the APEC region. Specifically, it will seek to step up cooperation within the region for the efficient use of energy, the realization of a low carbon energy supply and the achievement of energy security.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation for the extensive assistance that APERC receives from Japan and other APEC member economies. This assistance in funding for visiting researchers and support for research and study activities allows APERC to fulfill its mission.

Kazutomo IRIE
President

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