HOUSTON, March 12 (Xinhua) -- The future focus of the International Energy Forum (IEF) is to make better cooperation between energy producing countries and consuming countries, Secretary General of IEF Sun Xiansheng said Tuesday.
In an interview with Xinhua during the annual energy conference CERAWeek held by the London-based information company IHS Markit, Sun said the IEF consists of energy producers, energy consumers, and energy trading nations. Efforts should be made to promote smoother cooperation among these countries.
"We should encourage energy producers to strengthen their productivity, enhance energy supply, and address energy poverty issues," he said, adding that there are currently 1.2 billion people in the world living without power supply, and around 2 billion people have no access to modern energy.
"It is the energy producers' responsibility to ensure their supply," he added.
In order to cope with the global energy challenges, Sun said the IEF will hold a meeting this May in Shanghai, China, to strengthen the exchange and cooperation between energy producers and consumers.
Meanwhile, he called for the oil price to be stabilized in a reasonable price range. "It will not only guarantee certain profit for the producers, but also create affordable purchase for the consumers, ensuring the sustainability of energy," Sun said.
The 72-member IEF is a neutral facilitator of informal, open, informed and continuing global energy dialogue.
Accounting for around 90 percent of global supply and demand for oil and gas, the IEF aims to foster greater mutual understanding and awareness of common energy interests among its member countries.
The CERAWeek is an annual energy meeting with the attendance of prominent speakers from energy, technology and financial sectors. This year marks the 38th edition of the meeting, which is attended by more than 4,500 guests from over 70 countries and regions.
