Huntsman, who was elected chairman of the WGA on Sunday, said he plans to continue the association's work on energy and climate change, feeling it is too important to set aside after a year.

"It's so important, it deserves more than just one year," Huntsman said in an interview. "These issues are far too deep and complicated to shift gears at this point."

But it is an effort that needs a more global focus, as well, Huntsman said. He has reached out to China and hopes to include regional officials from India in discussions on climate change and energy efficiency.

"[We hope to] really engage them meaningfully in conversations. It isn't being done at the national level, we know that. And this is the perfect conduit through which we can have that kind of dialogue," he said.

As part of that effort, he helped arrange to have representatives of the Chinese government - Li Liansheng, the No. 2 official in the Chinese Embassy in Washington, and Ping Huang, the consulate general in Chicago - observing the weekend's meetings.

Huntsman, the former ambassador to Singapore and U.S. trade representative for East Asia, who is fluent in Mandarin Chinese, said he sees it as a "good sign that they were here" and interested in participating.

The Utah governor said he also wants to focus the WGA's efforts on ensuring there is enough water to deal with the tens of millions of new people who are expected to be living in the West over the next 50 years.

"I think, over the next year, putting water on the agenda . . . is going to be very important," Huntsman said.

Huntsman, who served as vice chairman of the WGA for the past year, will formally receive the gavel Tuesday from the current chairman, Wyoming Gov. Dave Fruedenthal.

The chairmanship of the association changes hands between parties. Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer of Montana was unanimously chosen as the new vice chairman.

"This whole election was less competitive than the elections that happen in Zimbabwe," Huntsman joked. "It's going to be a very exciting year, so hang on for the ride."

gehrke@sltrib.com