Connect with us
Anglostratits

Business

Energizing a Sustainable Future: The 29th World Gas Conference Opens in Beijing

Published

on

World Gas Conference

BEIJING, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 May 2025 – On the morning of May 20, the 29th World Gas Conference (WGC2025) opened at the China National Convention Center in Beijing. This marks the first time in the nearly 100-year history of the World Gas Conference that the event is being held in China. As one of the three flagship events of the International Gas Union (IGU), this year’s conference is themed “Energizing a Sustainable Future.” It has brought together more than 3,000 delegates from 70 countries and regions around the world to engage in in-depth discussions and consensus-building on global energy transition, the development of the natural gas industry, and pathways to a sustainable future.

The opening ceremony was chaired by Mr. Cao Yujun, Chair of the National Organizing Committee (NOC). Speeches were delivered by Li Yalan, President of the International Gas Union; Yin Yong, Mayor of Beijing; Wan Jinsong, Deputy Director of the National Energy Administration; Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies; and Dai Houliang, Chairman of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC).

Li Yalan, emphasized that amid multiple global challenges such as climate change, energy security, and geopolitical tensions, natural gas — with its advantages of abundant reserves, cleanliness, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness — is becoming an indispensable pillar of the global energy mix. She noted that China, as the world’s largest importer of natural gas and LNG, is drawing growing international attention for its development model. In particular, she highlighted how Beijing has leveraged natural gas to significantly improve air quality, offering a replicable model for other developing countries.

Yin Yong stated that Beijing firmly implements the country’s new energy security strategy and continues to promote the green and low-carbon transformation of the energy structure. Currently, natural gas accounts for more than 35% of Beijing’s energy consumption. Through initiatives such as coal-to-gas conversion, the city has achieved a more than 60% reduction in average annual PM2.5 concentrations and nearly a 50% decrease in carbon intensity over the past decade. He reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to opening up and deepening international energy cooperation while promoting sustainable urban development.

Wan Jinsong noted that China’s energy production and consumption continue to grow, with increasingly robust infrastructure and a nationwide unified gas network essentially completed. He emphasized significant improvements in natural gas dispatching and emergency response capacity. He said breakthroughs were seen in deep-earth, deep-sea, and unconventional resource development, helping boost output of natural gas. Wan proposed four key initiatives: enhancing supply capabilities to serve global public welfare, prioritizing ecology in green development, empowering the energy system through digital transformation, and improving governance via multilateral cooperation. He called for continued openness and win–win collaboration to jointly build a secure, efficient, clean, and low-carbon global energy system.

Patrick Pouyanné highlighted TotalEnergies’ efforts to maintain its leadership in the conventional oil and gas market while actively participating in the global energy transition. He reiterated TotalEnergies’ commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and to furthering international cooperation to build a diversified, clean, secure, and sustainable energy future.

Dai Houliang introduced CNPC’s recent breakthroughs in deep oil and gas exploration, including the successful completion of a 10,000-meter ultra-deep drilling mission and continuous progress in unconventional resource development. As Asia’s largest and the world’s second-largest energy company, CNPC plays a key role in safeguarding national energy security and consistently undertakes critical supply missions during peak winter and summer periods. He stressed CNPC’s unwavering commitment to green transition, accelerating the integration of oil, gas, and new energy, and building a synergistic, multi-energy system. As the only Chinese member of the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative (OGCI), CNPC will continue to actively participate in global climate governance, contribute to China’s carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals, and help extend the benefits of green development to more countries, clients, and communities, he said.

Following the speeches, Mr. Cao Yujun, Chair of the NOC, invited Yin Li, Secretary of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the CPC; Yin Yong, Mayor of Beijing; Li Yalan, President of the IGU; Wan Jinsong, Deputy Director of the National Energy Administration; Li Xiaolong, Vice Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development; Dai Houliang, Chairman of CNPC; and Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies, to jointly inaugurate the opening ceremony. As the countdown reached zero, the main screen lit up with the words “WGC2025 Officially Opens,” and the venue erupted in enthusiastic applause—marking the official launch of the 29th World Gas Conference.

According to schedule, WGC2025 will feature more than 80 high-level forums covering topics such as LNG development, natural gas and renewable energy integration, energy security, and digital transformation. More than 400 distinguished guests will engage in deep dialogue on industry trends and technological innovation. The concurrent exhibition spans 50,000 square meters — the largest in the event’s history — and is expected to attract more than 30,000 professional visitors from China and abroad.

The 29th World Gas Conference (WGC2025) is presented by the International Gas Union, hosted by Beijing Gas Group, and exclusively organized by Capital Convention & Exhibition Group.

Home

Facebook

Business

Aurionpro expands its multi-country transaction banking engagement with Diamond Trust Bank (DTB)

Published

on

Aurionpro

Aurionpro’s upgraded iCashpro platform for DTB delivers a unified digital experience across payments, trade, virtual accounts, and real-time reporting, enhancing straight-through processing, visibility, and control for both the bank and its corporate customers

MUMBAI, India, April 30, 2026/APO Group/ –Aurionpro Solutions Limited (www.AurionPro.com) (BSE: 532668 | NSE: AURIONPRO)a global leader in banking technology, announced the expansion and upgrade of its transaction banking engagement with Diamond Trust Bank (DTB), to modernize and enhance the bank’s corporate transaction banking capabilities across multiple countries.

Download Document: https://apo-opa.co/4edHUaC

This multi-country transaction banking upgrade covering Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania aligns with DTB’s intent to enhance customer experience, streamline operations, and support growing transaction volumes as it expands its regional corporate banking footprint. DTB continues to focus on building a more agile, ‘digital-first’ banking experience, particularly around payments for its corporate customers across Africa, and is now well positioned to scale these capabilities. As part of its broader transformation agenda, the bank has been steadily investing in platforms that enhance scale, reliability, and service consistency across markets.

Through this partnership, we are proud to lead the next era of transformation in transaction banking, helping DTB enhance operational agility

Aurionpro’s upgraded iCashpro platform for DTB delivers a unified digital experience across payments, trade, virtual accounts, and real-time reporting, enhancing straight-through processing, visibility, and control for both the bank and its corporate customers. By enabling DTB to standardize and scale its transaction banking operations across countries, the platform ensures consistent service levels, stronger control, and improved efficiency. It also supports enhanced user experience, advanced security, and the flexibility to introduce new features as DTB expands its regional transaction banking footprint.

Murali Natarajan (https://apo-opa.co/48trPdk), Managing Director & CEO, DTB Kenya   commented: “We are delighted to strengthen and broaden our partnership with Aurionpro Solutions as part of DTB’s ongoing digital transformation journey across multiple markets. Our focus on innovation, operational excellence, and customer-centricity continues to guide our technology investments. This upgrade strengthens our transaction banking capabilities, enabling us to deliver greater value to our customers through robust digital channels and seamlessly integrated experiences.”

Ashish Rai, Group CEO, Aurionpro Solutions, commented: “We are pleased to deepen our multi-country engagement with Diamond Trust Bank and support the next phase of its transaction banking modernization. As DTB continues to scale across markets, platform resilience and consistency become paramount. Through this partnership, we are proud to lead the next era of transformation in transaction banking, helping DTB enhance operational agility, deliver superior experiences to corporate customers, and create long-term value across geographies.”

He added, “Aurionpro’s iCashpro lays a strong digital foundation for transaction & wholesale banks across the globe to grow their corporate and SME client portfolio today, while creating a clear roadmap for next- generation capabilities in AI-driven insights, advanced automation and API-led connectivity for businesses in Kenya and across Africa.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Aurionpro Solutions Ltd.

 

Continue Reading

Business

Minerals Council Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Joins African Mining Week (AMW) as South Africa Improves Sectorial Investment Climate

Published

on

Energy Capital

Minerals Council CEO to share insights on policy, infrastructure and investment trends shaping South Africa’s mining industry

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, April 30, 2026/APO Group/ –The upcoming African Mining Week (AMW) conference will feature Mzila Mthenjane, CEO of the Minerals Council of South Africa, as a speaker. Scheduled for October 14 – 16, 2026 in Cape Town, the event will bring together global investors, policymakers and industry leaders, with Mthenjane’s participation highlighting the council’s commitment to engaging international stakeholders and promoting investment across South Africa’s mining sector.

His participation comes at a critical moment as the Minerals Council works closely with government on finalizing the Mineral Resources Development Bill 2025, a policy framework aimed at strengthening the country’s mining investment climate and the sector’s contribution to GDP. According to the council, the revised legislation will support new investment across the value chain as South Africa seeks to mobilize R2 trillion over the next five years to unlock its critical minerals potential.

The policy reforms come amid shifting production trends in the sector. In 2025, South Africa recorded declines in gold and platinum group metals output of 1.9% and 4.1%, respectively. The new regulatory framework is expected to strengthen public-private partnerships and stimulate investment, enabling South Africa to increase production and capitalize on strong global commodity prices. Increased private sector investments is crucial with South Africa seeking targeting to unlock an estimated R40 trillion in untapped iron ore potential as well as maintain its position as the world’s leading producer of chrome and manganese.

At AMW 2026, Mthenjane is expected to outline these trends, providing insights into how the council is contributing to addressing challenges disrupting the sector. Infrastructure and energy costs remain key concerns for industry players. To support the energy-intensive sector, South Africa approved a 35% reduction in electricity tariffs for major ferrochrome producers, helping stabilize an industry that has faced significant cost pressures after electricity prices surged by roughly 900% since 2008.

Logistics constraints are also a priority area for reform. South Africa’s economy is losing an estimated R1 billion per day due to inefficiencies across rail and port infrastructure. As a result, the government is considering measures supported by the Minerals Council to increase private sector participation in logistics. Planned reforms include rail modernization initiatives targeting 250 million tons of freight capacity by 2029, alongside port upgrades and private operator participation aimed at strengthening mineral exports and improving supply chain efficiency.

Beyond infrastructure and policy reforms, the Minerals Council is advocating for stronger exploration investment to support long-term industry growth.

At AMW, Mthenjane is expected to highlight these developments and outline the steps required to reinforce South Africa’s position in the global minerals supply chain. His insights will offer investors and stakeholders a timely perspective on opportunities within the country’s mining sector.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

Continue Reading

Energy

Seychelles Targets Energy Investment Push as Minister Jérémie Joins African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 as a Speaker

Published

on

African Energy Chamber

Seychelles energy minister will speak at AEW 2026, positioning her to highlight reforms, renewable projects and investment opportunities as the island nation advances its transition toward a diversified energy system

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, April 29, 2026/APO Group/ –Marie-May Jérémie, Minister of Environment, Climate, Energy and Natural Resources for Seychelles will participate as a speaker at this year’s African Energy Week (AEW) 2026, taking place from October 12–16 in Cape Town. Her participation underscores the country’s growing role in shaping Africa’s small-island energy transition agenda.

Minister Jérémie’s presence at AEW 2026 comes at a critical time as Seychelles accelerates efforts to reduce its heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels. The event provides a platform to attract investment, strengthen policy alignment and showcase bankable projects, positioning the country as a viable destination for private-sector participation in island energy systems.

Seychelles is demonstrating how policy reform and innovation can unlock investment in constrained environments

In May last year, international finance institution the World Bank approved the Renewable Energy Acceleration Program, a seven-year initiative aimed at modernizing the grid and increasing renewable energy penetration to 15% by 2030. The program focuses on unlocking private capital while strengthening transmission infrastructure to accommodate variable renewable energy sources.

Project development is gaining traction in the country, particularly in innovative technologies suited to Seychelles’ land constraints. The 5.8 MW Seysun Lagoon floating solar PV project, developed by independent renewable power producer Qair, is under construction and expected online in 2026.

Alongside renewables, Seychelles continues to pursue upstream opportunities to diversify its economy. The government approved new exploration entrants in 2025 and extended exiting petroleum agreements, while securing an infrastructure partnership with China. Multilateral estimates suggest over $800 million in investment will be required over the next 25 years.

Regulatory reform is central to this transition, with Seychelles introducing an independent power producer framework to open the market to private developers. Standardized power purchase agreements, grid access reforms and strengthened public-private partnership structures are being implemented to improve transparency, reduce risk and accelerate project bankability across solar, storage and emerging wind opportunities.

“Minister Jérémie’s participation highlights the strategic importance of island nations in Africa’s broader energy transition,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber. “Seychelles is demonstrating how policy reform and innovation can unlock investment in constrained environments. Her insights will be critical to advancing dialogue on resilient, low-carbon energy systems across the continent.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Continue Reading

Trending