In Busan, the energy transition is moving into high gear. From August 25 to 27, 2025, the 16th Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM16) will bring together energy ministers, CEOs, and experts to advance concrete solutions — alongside the 10th Mission Innovation (MI-10), the APEC Energy Ministerial, and the World Climate Industry Expo. The goal: to transform climate ambitions into measurable actions through public-private partnerships and sectoral roadmaps.
A “Super Week” Format to Speed Up Decisions
CEM16/MI-10 is part of Busan’s Energy Super Week (August 25–29), a cluster of events designed to maximize meetings, announcements, and coordination between governments, industries, and innovation ecosystems.
Key Takeaways from the 2025 Edition
- 50+ events: expert panels, minister-CEO dialogues, and dedicated sessions on CEM workstreams (hydrogen, EVs, smart grids, efficiency, storage, industrial decarbonization…).
- Expected announcements:
- Sustainable Lifestyles & Fairness Declaration led by 10+ countries and major organizations, to anchor a fair, human-centered transition.
- 2025 Awards Ceremony (ISGAN Awards, CEM/IEA Hydrogen TCP Awards of Excellence) highlighting innovations in grids and hydrogen.
- Case studies on “responsible renewable infrastructures” published with the World Economic Forum, to spread best practices combining performance, environment, and social acceptance.
- White paper on the value of battery storage, led by the Supercharging Battery Storage initiative, to accelerate large-scale deployment.
Why Busan, Why Now?
By co-locating CEM16, MI-10, the APEC Energy Ministerial, and a major industrial expo, South Korea aims to create a multiplier effect: linking policies, finance, technologies, and supply chains to accelerate implementation (clean hydrogen, electrification, grid flexibility, efficiency, and low-carbon materials).
What Companies and Countries Are Looking For
- Visibility & deals: the ministerial scale facilitates bilateral commitments and sectoral coalitions (heavy industry, transport, power, storage).
- Standards & best practices: publications (declaration, case studies, white paper) will serve as operational references for regulators and investors.
What to Watch at CEM16
- The countries signing the Sustainable Lifestyles & Fairness declaration and their first action plans.
- Industrial commitments on storage (including grid integration and business models).
- Hydrogen roadmaps and market signals (standards, certification, logistics).
- Lessons learned from responsible renewable infrastructures (permitting, biodiversity, community engagement).
Practical Info
- When? August 25–27, 2025 (CEM16/MI-10), during Energy Super Week (25–29 August).
- Where? Busan, Republic of Korea.
- More info: official CEM and event websites.
