Press Release: Panama to Host World Energy Week 2025: A Key Event for the Global Energy Future

Panama City, May 13, 2025 – Panama City is preparing to welcome global leaders and experts from the energy sector during World Energy Week 2025 (WEW), scheduled for October 6–9. This event, organized by the World Energy Council in collaboration with the Government of Panama, through the National Secretariat of Energy, is positioned as a key platform for addressing challenges and opportunities in the energy field.

Under the theme “Connecting energy, powering a healthy planet,” the World Energy Council and the Government of Panama will organize this event, which will take place from October 6 to 9 in Panama City.

With over 500 attendees and prominent industry leaders expected, WEW aims to promote inclusive dialogue on sustainable energy transitions and to position Panama as a global energy hub.

Héctor M. Cotes, President of the World Energy Council in Panama, emphasized the significance of the event by stating: “Under the theme ‘Energizing connections and empowering a healthy planet,’ World Energy Week 2025 reaffirms Panama as a hub not only for energy, but for ideas. Here, the global community can engage in high- impact conversations that drive actions for a fairer, more resilient, and reliable energy transition.”

Juan Manuel Urriola, Panama’s Secretary of Energy, highlighted the importance of this event, noting: “World Energy Week is a powerful platform that connects the global energy agenda with the realities and priorities of the energy transitions we are undertaking in Panama. We are delighted to host this important energy event and to convene the global community through the World Energy Council to advance energy-related matters.”

This edition of WEW is expected to gather over 500 participants, including around 20 government officials and more than 50 internationally renowned speakers. Attendees will have the opportunity to take part in plenaries, interactive sessions, and social activities that celebrate Panama’s rich culture.

Gloria de León, Administrator of the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP), stressed the event’s relevance for the country and its Convention Tourism Plan: “World Energy Week 2025 strengthens Panama as a strategic meeting point for high-impact events. This global gathering not only boosts convention tourism but also projects our country as a hub for ideas, innovation, and sustainability. At the Tourism Authority, we are proud to host an event that connects knowledge, culture, and economic development for the region.”

The event represents a unique opportunity for networking among industry leaders, facilitating idea exchange and the creation of collaborations that can drive sustainable energy projects. Key topics to be discussed include The Americas' Ambition, Clean Transportation, and Energy Access and Affordability, enabling participants to explore innovative solutions to sector challenges.

Notable confirmed speakers include Juan Manuel Urriola, Panama’s Secretary of Energy; Angela Wilkinson, Secretary General and CEO, World Energy Council; Hiroki Sato, CEO of Global Business Division, Chubu Electric Power Company of Japan; Rachel Melton, Council Member, Future Energy Leaders, World Energy Council, California ISO; Ricaurte Vásquez Morales, Administrator of the Panama Canal; and Miguel Bolinaga, President of AES Panama.

An Ideal Space to Address Global Energy Challenges

Since 2005, the World Energy Council has hosted WEW. Over the years, it has become a crucial activity for the energy sector, serving as a space for dialogue among leaders and experts to discuss current trends and challenges. It also promotes collaboration through strategic partnerships and the sharing of global best practices. These efforts are focused on energy transition topics such as sustainability, decarbonization, and universal access to energy.

The World Energy Council serves as a global platform connecting energy leaders and experts to tackle energy challenges. Its role includes promoting efficient energy policies, fostering sustainability dialogues, and driving international cooperation in the sector.

According to Cotes, the Council’s relevance stems from its ability to provide a space for discussing global challenges and innovative solutions, encouraging collaboration among different stakeholders—including governments, companies, and NGOs—and promoting a focus on sustainability and energy justice.

The choice of Panama as the host of World Energy Week 2025 is no coincidence. The country has established itself as a gravitational center for energy trade in the Americas, making it an ideal location for these critical discussions.

For more information about World Energy Week 2025 and to register, please visit www.worldenergyweek.org.

About the World Energy Council

The World Energy Council is the world's oldest independent and impartial community of energy leaders and practitioners. Through our Humanising Energy vision, we involve more people and communities in accelerating clean and inclusive energy transitions in all world regions. Formed in 1923, the Council is a UN-accredited global energy body that has convened diverse interests from across the full energy ecosystem for a century, and today has over 3,000 member organisations and a presence in nearly 100 countries. Our global network draws from governments, private and state corporations, academia and civil society, as well as current and future energy leaders. We collaborate on impact programmes and inform local, regional and global energy agendas in support of our enduring mission: to promote the sustainable use and supply of energy for the benefit of all people. Further details at www.worldenergy.org and on LinkedIn and @WECouncil.