Clean Energy Ministerial Opens in Busan... Solutions for Power Transition and Industrial Decarbonization Discussed

Intensive Discussions on Power Transition, Industrial Decarbonization, Future Fuels, and Energy
Korea Leads the Global Energy Agenda as Chair Country
Key Topics to Be Further Addressed at G20 and COP30

The 16th Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) and the 10th Mission Innovation (MI) Ministerial Meeting kicked off on August 25 at BEXCO in Busan. Over the course of three days, until August 27, more than 1,000 participants-including government delegations from 41 countries, 111 international organizations, and 105 global companies-will gather to seek practical solutions to address the climate crisis.

This year’s meetings serve as the core events of "Energy Super Week," held in conjunction with the 2025 World Climate Industry Expo (WCE) and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Energy Ministerial Meeting. With Korea serving as the chair country, the meetings are especially significant as they position Korea at the forefront of global energy transition discussions in the era of climate crisis.

The Clean Energy Ministerial and Mission Innovation Ministerial Meetings were launched in 2010 and 2015, respectively, with the goal of spreading and innovating clean energy technologies. They have since become leading public-private cooperation platforms, drawing participation from major countries in the United States, Europe, and Asia, as well as from global energy companies, research institutions, and international organizations.

This year’s theme is "Energising Cooperation for a Prosperous Future." The theme reflects the intention to seek joint international solutions to simultaneously achieve energy security and carbon neutrality.

Four key sessions were organized for this meeting, involving ministers and vice ministers, CEOs of global companies, and representatives of international organizations. The first session on power transition featured LS Cable & System, Hyosung Heavy Industries, and Bloom Energy, who discussed expanding zero-carbon power generation facilities and innovating power infrastructure to meet the rapidly increasing electricity demand from data centers and electric vehicles. In particular, improving power system efficiency through the use of artificial intelligence (AI) was a major agenda item.

The second session on industrial decarbonization and energy efficiency focused on emission reductions in so-called "hard-to-abate sectors" such as steel and cement. Companies and governments from various countries shared financial mechanisms and business models necessary for industrial decarbonization, emphasizing the need for public-private cooperation.

The subsequent session on future fuels addressed the use of next-generation clean fuels such as hydrogen, ammonia, and e-fuels. Korean companies including Hyundai Motor Company and Kolon Industries participated, highlighting the growth potential of the hydrogen industry. Participating countries reaffirmed the contribution of future fuels to decarbonization in the transportation sector and agreed on the need to increase investment.

The Energy & AI session included participation from Microsoft, Google, NVIDIA, LG Energy Solution, and Korea Electric Power Corporation. The session addressed both the challenge of increased electricity demand driven by AI and the opportunity for energy efficiency improvements enabled by AI, discussing a future vision of a virtuous cycle where AI and energy mutually reinforce each other.

This meeting has provided Korea, as the chair country, with an opportunity to lead the international agenda on climate and energy. Korea shared its accumulated experience in clean energy technologies and emphasized the importance of cooperation amid the restructuring of global supply chains and energy security challenges.

The agendas discussed at this meeting will continue to be addressed on the international stage. Discussions on power transition will be further explored at the G20 Energy Ministerial Meeting in October, while discussions on the use of future fuels will be deepened at COP30 (the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) in Azerbaijan in November.

Lee Hohyun, the Second Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, stated, "This has become an important platform for countries to pool their wisdom in the face of today’s climate crisis and energy security challenges," adding, "We hope this meeting will strengthen international solidarity in spreading clean energy technologies and seeking practical solutions."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.