Questions about the future of global energy are dominated by two topics: the strong rise in energy demand, especially in Asia, and the combat against climate change. The energy sector is the principal source of global greenhouse gas emissions. That makes energy transition the energy topic of our time and a must if we want to keep our planet habitable for future generations. But striking a balance between fighting pollution and decarbonising the economy, while at the same time upholding economic growth, is an extremely hard task. Furthermore, one cannot afford to overlook social questions concerning affordability. Without affordability, there will not be public acceptance, without public acceptance the energy transition will practically be impossible.
Dr. Karin Kneissl has been Austria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs since December 2017. She holds a PhD in international law (on the notion of borders in the Middle East) studied law and oriental languages at Vienna University 1983-87.
From 1989 to 1998 she served in the Austrian Foreign Service (Middle East Desk, Cabinet of the Minister, Office of the Legal Advisor, posted in Paris and Madrid). Since 1999 she has been an independent researcher and lecturer. Dr. Kneissl regularly lectures at the Université Saint Joseph in Beirut, at the European Business School in Hessen/Germany, the Diplomatic Academy Vienna as well as the National Defence College. Ever since 2002 she has been commenting for the Austrian radio and TV broadcaster ORF, whenever political developments in the Middle and the events in the energy market require it. Ms Kneissl has authored numerous books on the Middle East.
Dr. Kneissl is Vice President of the Austrian Society for Politico-Military Studies, STRATEG; she was on the scientific board of the European Forum Alpbach, was an elected municipal counsellor of her community Seibersdorf and holds various positions in non-profit organisations; inter alia, she co-founded whistleblowing Austria and Médecins Sans Frontières Austria.
3:30 ⎯ 4:00 p.m. | Registration
4:00 ⎯ 4:10 p.m. | Introduction by Sunjoy Joshi, Chairman, ORF
4:10 ⎯ 4:30 p.m. | Talk by Karin Kneissl on “The future of Global Energy in-between Oil, Gas and Renewables”
4:30 ⎯ 4:40 p.m. | Remarks by Lydia Powell, Distinguished Fellow and Head, Centre for Resource Management, ORF
4:40 ⎯ 5:10 p.m. | Moderated Q&A
5:10 ⎯ 5:15 p.m. | Concluding remarks by Sunjoy Joshi
5:15 ⎯ 5:45 p.m. | High tea
