Andres Sutt: Emerging energy markets – key issues Introductory remarks by Mr Andres Sutt, Deputy Governor of Eesti Pank (Bank of Estonia), at the GIC/MKM/Eesti Bank Conference on emerging energy markets, Tallinn, 21 August 2008. *  *  *  Mister Minister, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Guests, It is a great honor to welcome you here in Tallinn. The issues of our conference on emerging energy markets are of great importance in today's world. We are very lucky to have an excellent lineup of highly distinctive speakers from both the public and the private sector, so our discussions will no doubt be interesting and useful. I also have to admit that that interest in the conference exceeded the organizers' most optimistic expectations. Energy issues and related policy choices have come forward forcefully and en masse for policy makers and public at large. Indeed, there is hardly any other area where choices that are made today will have a direct impact on the way of life of the generations to come. In this regard, I would like to briefly outline the key issues that will be discussed also today. First and foremost, human activity and energy consumption are, in all likelihood, having a direct impact on climate and, ultimately, on living conditions on the Planet Earth. While the direct effects of climate change on growth and prosperity vary, it is beyond any doubt that the challenges ahead are formidable.
The GIC is a Philadelphia-based nonprofit think tank with the mission to "encourage the expansion of global dialogue and free trade in order to improve cooperation and understanding among nation states, with the goal of reducing international conflicts and improving worldwide living standards." This is indeed a noble goal in today's changing world full of new challenges and, unfortunately too often also conflict. Eesti Pank is honored to have been included in the GIC list of cooperating institutions for a number of years already. Our people have participated in GIC events both as speakers and members of the GIC delegation. We have first-hand experience in how dedicated the GIC is in fostering the cause of free markets, cooperation and liberty. BIS Review 104/2008  1  Ladies and gentlemen, thank you once again for coming here today. I am now most pleased to invite David to say a few words of welcome on the behalf of the GIC. 2  BIS Review 104/2008