The World Coal Association announced the appointment of Michelle Manook as its new CEO at a press conference in Sanhe, Hebei province on July 18, 2019.

Li Dong, vice-president of China Energy Investment Corporation and vice-chairman of the WCA, addressed the conference and welcomed Manook's appointment.

In his speech, Li stressed that it is WCA's challenge and responsibility to promote efficient coal development and clean utilization, coordinate the development of the coal industry, the ecology and the environment, and ultimately achieve safe, clean and sustainable energy supply.

As the only international organization representing the coal industry around the world, the WCA is willing to push the application and popularization of advanced clean coal utilization technologies and contribute to the sound and sustainable growth of the coal industry, said Li.

Manook talked about the critical role that coal plays in electricity generation as well as steel and cement production. In dealing with the environmental challenges, the issue is not about shifting away from the source of energy, but choosing cleaner energy.

The newly-appointed CEO also shared her aspiration to cooperate with governments in emerging economies, investors and other industries to propel energy policies on lower emission technologies.

"The World Coal Association is committed to playing a constructive and progressive role in meeting the world's challenges, now and into the future; and I appreciate the opportunity to play my part in leading this organization forward," said Manook.

The conference was co-sponsored by the WCA and China Energy.

Ranking 101st among the Fortune Global 500 companies in 2018, China Energy is the world's biggest producer of coal, wind power, thermal power, coal-to-liquids and coal chemical products.