'People come here from all over the world': Houston, Turner welcome return of CERAWeek

Two years of virtual conferences gave way to the return of CERAWeek in Houston as an in-person event Monday.

The energy conference that brings executives and other industry figures from around the world to the city known as the Energy Capital of the World opened at the Hilton Americas in Downtown Houston with Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner presenting opening remarks.

“People come here from all over the world to strive to solve problems that matter most," Turner said, according to Houston CBS affiliate KHOU.

This year also marks CERAWeek's 40th anniversary, the station reported. 

It has been three years since CERAWeek was held with attendees, which number in the thousands.

This year's conference, which runs through March 11, takes place with the global energy industry on edge because of the war in Ukraine.

Having attended CERAWeek for 15 years, Houston resident Bronwyn Wallace said the event is held at "a perfect time" citing COVID-19 and the fight between Ukraine and Russia.

"Russia (and) Ukraine is one of the main topics of course because of the global geopolitical implications we’re seeing," Wallace told KHOU.

Among the visitors are former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Colombian President Iván Duque Márquez.

"Great to see Sec. @JohnKerry and to meet Columbia’s President @IvanDuque," Turner tweeted.

OPEC Secretary General Mohammad Sansui Barkindo addressed increasing prices at the pump, saying his organization's decisions shouldn't be based on the war, KHOU reported.

“Where are we today? We are facing, the world is facing, a possible threat to supply," Barkindo said, according to the station. "We are human so nobody wants to see this. We cannot afford to jeopardize this industry based political or external considerations."

Gas Buddy reported that the national average for gas has risen nearly 50 cents per gallon in the previous week.

Just today (March 8), President Joe Biden announced that the U.S. is banning imports of Russian oil in an effort to punish Russian President Vladimir Putin for ordering the invasion of Ukraine.

“We’re banning all imports of Russian oil and gas and energy,” Biden said, according to the Huffington Post. “That means Russian oil will no longer be acceptable at U.S. ports and the American people will deal another powerful blow to Putin’s war machine.”

This Thursday (March 10) will mark two weeks since Russian forces entered Ukraine.