Nearly 1,000 participants from 100 nations gathered in the city of Montreal, Province of Quebec, Canada to discuss regional and global development in the energy sector and energy regulation. The World Forum on Energy Regulation was co-hosted by the Canadian Association of Members of Public Utility Tribunals (CAMPUT) and the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), coordinated by the Régie de l'énergie du Quebec.

Topics included regulation of monopolies, competition, accessibility of service, and balancing consumer and industry interests.

Participants were regulators from every continent, leaders in the energy industry, consumer representatives, development agencies and other specialists.

Participants learned from one another, formed new partnerships, and renewed their commitment to support one another's' efforts to:

• Promote, advance or facilitate sustainable development.
• Expand access to energy services.
• Implement regulatory policies appropriate to each nation and region.
• Promote, advance or facilitate efficient energy markets.
• Promote, advance or facilitate energy efficiency.
• Where appropriate, harmonize standards across borders through cooperative efforts.
• Protect the public interest in the provision of reasonably priced, safe and reliable energy services.

Recognizing their different circumstances as well as their common interests, participants identified a range of voluntary activities to promote these goals, including:

• Sharing information electronically through a web page and electronic list-serve.
• Promoting efforts at regional coordination through organizations of utility regulators.
• Making available professional training and institution-building support.
• Identifying regulatory "best practices" that could be considered by regulatory agencies or by governments.
• Cooperative arrangements between regulators in developed and developing nations.
• Coordination between international development agencies, and among development agencies and regulatory organizations.
• Exploring the need and potential support for cooperative mechanisms, and for a future World Forum on energy regulation.

Participants supported efforts to work together to explore these activities, and encouraged others to consider and support them as well.

M. Jean A. Guérin
Président
Comité exécutif du Forum
Président
Régie de l'énergie du Québec

Hon. Bob Rowe
President
National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners
Commissioner
Montana Public Utilities Commission

Mr Paul Vlahos
Chairman
Canadian Association of Members of Public Utilities Tribunals
Vice Chair