London, 2 August 2024
The IEA will convene an International Summit on the Future of Energy Security in the second quarter of 2025, hosted by the UK government in London, to assess the existing and future risks facing the global energy system and to prioritise the solutions and opportunities available for addressing them.
The IEA has been at the heart of international energy security for 50 years – helping avoid, mitigate and manage energy supply disruptions and crises. In recent years, the IEA has supported energy security with key actions during the global energy crisis such as twice releasing emergency oil stocks and issuing a 10 point plan for Europe to reduce reliance on Russian natural gas following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
As the world changes, so do the challenges around energy security. While risks around the availability of oil and natural gas show no signs of abating, new ones are emerging that could significantly hinder energy transitions and undermine the resilience of energy systems, if not addressed promptly and effectively. This calls for new and enhanced approaches to energy security – fit for today and the decades ahead – to ensure uninterrupted access to affordable energy.
The Summit will examine the geopolitical, technological and economic factors affecting energy security at the national and international level. It will provide global decision makers and key actors with an opportunity to review the trends redefining global energy security. These include changes in energy demand, supply and trade; the adoption of clean and efficient energy solutions; the availability of the minerals and metals required for clean energy technologies – from wind turbines and solar panels to electric vehicles and battery storage; and the allocation of investment during the transition away from fossil fuels.
“The global energy crisis delivered a sobering reminder to countries around the world on the importance of energy security and its implications for our economies,” said IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol. “From its founding 50 years ago, the IEA has been a leader in safeguarding energy security and anticipating emerging risks. As the nature of energy security evolves amid looming threats, the IEA will continue to do all it can to ensure uninterrupted access to energy at affordable prices while honouring global climate commitments. I’m grateful to the UK government – under the leadership of Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Secretary of State Ed Miliband – for hosting this Summit, which will bring together leaders and decision- makers from around the world to ensure that we are taking the right actions today for stronger energy security tomorrow.”
UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “In an unstable world, the only way to guarantee our energy security and protect against volatile energy price spikes is to speed up the transition away from fossil fuels to clean, homegrown energy. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine global energy security has become more important than ever. I am determined that the UK takes a global lead on clean energy and I look forward to working closely with the IEA as we host this crucial Future of Energy Security summit next year. Together we can mobilise international action for cheap, clean, secure energy as we drive forward the global energy transition.”
Source – IEA