Energy, Natural Resources and Sustainable Development are the topics for the second day of the 20th edition of the Conference of Montreal

MONTREAL, June 9, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - The 20^th edition of the Conference of Montreal, organized by the International Economic Forum of the Americas, will continue into its second day under the theme "Energy, Natural Resources and Sustainable Development" on Tuesday, June 10. The International Energy Agency (IEA) and the NGO Droit à l'énergie - SOS Futur have chosen the Conference as the forum at which they will present their report and initiative.

Invited guest speakers will address topics that are mobilizing the international community including the right of access to natural resources and energy markets, transport electrification, the importance of intermodal infrastructure in the context of bilateral and regional free trade agreements, the economic role of the Francophonie illustrated by several African countries represented, and finally, sustainable development objectives beyond 2015.

During the afternoon plenary session the International Energy Agency (IEA) will present its Medium-term Gas Market Report 2014. This report will show the status of the gas market worldwide. Speakers will include: Maria van der Hoeven, Executive Director, International Energy Agency (IEA), Marie-Josée Nadeau, Chair, World Energy Council (WEC), and Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Secretary General, Hydro-Quebec, in addition to representatives from Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, Repsol, TransCanada, Imperial Oil and TOTAL E&P Canada.

In addition, the NGO Droit à l'énergie - SOS Futur chose the Conference of Montreal to submit its plan for implementation of a World Sustainable Energy Day for All. The NGO will submit this proposal on Tuesday, June 10 in the presence of a representative from the United Nations, Mr. Kandeh Yumkella, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General with the United Nations Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All).

Keynote speakers of the "Energy, Natural Resources and Sustainable Development" day are:

• Mario Albert, President and Chief Executive Officer, Investissement Québec (IQ);
• Luc Adolphe Tiao, Prime Minister, Burkina Faso;
• Nizar Al-Adsani, Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC);
• Matthew Winkler, Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Bloomberg News;
• Rich Kruger, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Imperial Oil;
• Maria van der Hoeven, Executive Director, International Energy Agency (IEA);
• Russell K. Girling, President and Chief Executive Officer, TransCanada;
• Gérard Mestrallet, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, GDF SUEZ; and Co-Chair, 20^th edition of the Conference of Montreal;
• Rémi Quirion, Chief Science Adviser, Québec;
• Thierry Vandal, President and Chief Executive Officer, Hydro-Québec.

The program of the 2014 Conference of Montreal is regularly updated and is available at: http://forum-americas.org/montreal

Conference of Montreal Partners
The Conference of Montreal thanks its partners: Power Corporation of Canada, the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, Dentons, the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF), RBC Capital Markets, Finance Montréal, Hydro-Québec, Investissement Québec, Sanofi, TransCanada, the International Organisation of La Francophonie, Export Development Canada (EDC), GDF SUEZ, QG100, RioTinto Alcan, Total, Ville de Montréal, the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), BNP Paribas (Canada), Cogeco, McKinsey & Company, the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), Cisco, Garda World,  Imperial, Desjardins, McGill University, SNC Lavalin, Government of Ontario, the École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS), Ernst & Young,  Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, Centre d'études et de recherches internationales (CÉRIUM), the Université de Montréal, Aecon, Montréal International, HEC Montréal, Air France, Oxygène, Concordia University, General Electric, Génome Québec,  Québec Employers Council, Tourisme Montréal, the Desautels Faculty of Management, National Écocrédit, La Coop fédérée, VIA Rail, Government of Canada, le gouvernement du Québec, La Presse, Worth, Forces, The Globe & Mail, RDI, CNW Telbec, Cohn & Wolfe, World Energy Council, and the OECD.

About the International Economic Forum of the Americas and Conference of Montreal
For the last 20 years, the Conference of Montreal has been committed to heightening knowledge and awareness of the major issues concerning economic globalization, with a particular emphasis on the relations between the Americas and other continents. The Conference also strives to foster exchanges of information, to promote free discussion and facilitate meetings to develop international trade, inviting political, economic, trade union and cultural leaders to speak out on the great issues of our time.

Media Accreditation
For more information and for accreditation of national and international journalists and media professionals, or to arrange an interview with one of the speakers listed above, please contact Sophie Roy at: 1 844-778-7296 or [email protected]

Please note that not all speakers are available for interviews.

SOURCE: Conference of Montreal

Sophie Roy, Media Relations, 514 845-7025, [email protected]