From Sept. 2-4, 2025, Calgary welcomed delegations of city leaders and innovators from around the world for the World Energy Cities Partnership (WECP) Annual General Meeting, signalling the city’s leadership as a global energy city, and innovation and investment destination.
Calgary’s expansive expertise in energy, low-carbon technology and city-building was on showcase as civic leaders gathered in Canada’s energy capital.
“Calgary is honoured to host these leaders, as a city where innovation, collaboration and bold thinking are driving the low-carbon future. The work and knowledge sharing happening here is not just of local significance, but global change,” said WECP Vice President, Mayor Jyoti Gondek.
“By welcoming delegations from around the world, we’re building partnerships that will shape the future of energy and our city.”
Connecting leading cities to shape the future of energy
The WECP is an alliance of leading energy cities that are home to many of the world’s largest energy companies, working together to build a lower-carbon energy future. Member cities meet annually to share strategies and solutions for a sustainable energy future and more livable cities.
City leaders from major energy jurisdictions – including Australia, Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, Scotland, Japan, South Korea, Scotland, Saudi Arabia and the United States – participated in programming focused on Calgary’s energy expertise and rapidly evolving innovation ecosystem.
WECP AGM showcases Calgary’s expertise in energy innovation
The WECP program spotlights the city’s expertise in energy and clean technology, from pioneering work in carbon capture and hydrogen to digital infrastructure and bioenergy.
“Calgary’s leadership in energy is rooted in our people, our expertise, our innovative spirit and our commitment to solving shared global challenges. Hosting the WECP AGM is a testament to our city’s role as a catalyst for change on the global stage,” said Brad Parry, President and CEO, Calgary Economic Development.
With Canada’s highest concentration of STEM talent, a growing ecosystem of incubators and accelerators and a vision to become Canada’s innovation capital through the city’s Innovation Strategy, Calgary is uniquely positioned to lead the shift to a low-carbon economy.
“By strengthening relationships with global energy leaders, Calgary is opening new pathways to attract investment and support local companies secure capital and expand to new markets,” said Parry.
The energy sector in Alberta contributes over $106 billion to provincial GDP and employs over 186,000 Albertans. Investments made now will help create 170,000 new jobs and $61 billion in annual GDP by 2050, according to the Alberta Energy Transition Study.
Collective action toward a low-carbon future
Held in some of Calgary’s premier venues, including Werklund Centre, The Confluence, Platform Calgary, the University of Calgary and BMO Centre, WECP AGM 2025 sessions were centred around the theme of Innovation for a Low Carbon Future.
Sessions tackled the big questions: how cities can collaborate with industry, scale innovative solutions and develop of future skilled talent needed to power this transition.
With an audience of Calgary’s business community and Team Calgary partners, several elected officials from cities around the world shared how their cities face similar issues.
In the past, the role of municipalities championing climate action was uncertain. However, panelists agreed that cities are now on the front lines, and have the responsibility to champion progress in this area through initiatives like renewable energy generation, electrifying fleets and establishing new partnerships between local governments and the private sector.
To see the possibilities of action – in action – delegates also joined the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund as it announced a $10 million strategic investment into the ETC Foundation, which is set to train professionals and scale companies in the clean energy sector.
The 2025 WECP AGM was more than just a meeting – it was an opportunity to showcase Calgary, build relationships, find solutions for climate resilience and unlock investment that leads to more jobs and lasting impact.
Events like the WECP AGM are rooted in Calgary’s vision to be a top destination for companies, capital and talent. Learn how Calgary’s economic action plan, Uplook, is helping create a more resilient economic future for the city.