Daegu to host 2021 World Gas Conference

By Park Jin-hai

KOGAS CEO Jang Seok-hyo

Daegu has been selected as the host city for the 2021 World Gas Conference (WGC), Korea Gas Corp. (KOGAS) said Friday.

The international gathering of gas-related policymakers selected the host city during the International Gas Union’s (IGU) general assembly in Germany, Thursday.

Korea beat Norway in a tight race to win the right to host the conference.

It is the third attempt for KOGAS to host the international event.

“KOGAS’s efforts to host the conference and government support have moved the hearts of members,” the company said. “With the hosting of the conference here, global gas companies can expand their gas market dominated by Europe and Northern America to Asia.”

KOGAS CEO Jang Seok-hyo has led the campaign to host the event in Daegu.

He will be chairman of the IGU from 2018 to 2021.

The WGC is a triennial event where over 6,000 gas-related policymakers convene over five days to discuss energy policies and announce the outcome of research.

Korea will be the third Asian country to host the conference, following Japan and Malaysia.

The conference is expected to create some 120 billion won in added value as well as employment of 2,500 people in the local economy, according to KOGAS.