Governments and industry leaders discuss strengthening global LPG supply resilience at IEA-WLGA Leadership Forum

Government representatives, industry leaders and international organisations gathered today at the jointly hosted International Energy Agency (IEA)-World Liquid Gas Association (WLGA) LPG Leadership Forum to discuss strengthening the resilience of global liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) supplies in the face of growing geopolitical uncertainty.

The Forum brought together delegates from 17 governments and more than 80 senior industry representatives to examine the implications of the ongoing Middle East crisis for global LPG markets and identify practical measures to improve supply security.

Discussions focused on strategic LPG storage and reserve mechanisms, the protection of critical infrastructure, supply diversification and strengthening national energy resilience, particularly for developing economies and import-dependent markets in Africa.

Participants recognised the vital role LPG plays in supporting energy security as the primary cooking fuel for 3.4 billion people across developing economies. They also focused on the importance of closer collaboration between governments and industry to improve the resilience of global supply chains and reduce the risks posed by future disruptions. The discussions informed ongoing international efforts to strengthen energy resilience, including through a Clean Cooking Security Programme, hosted by the IEA, to identify the policies, investments and partnerships needed to strengthen the resilience of global LPG supply chains. Several governments and private sector representatives expressed their intention to join the task force.

Access to clean cooking solutions remains an urgent yet often overlooked challenge, with disproportionately severe impacts on the most vulnerable across health, development, and education while contributing to hundreds of thousands of deaths each year. For over two decades, the IEA has been at the forefront of global efforts to expand access to clean cooking, providing analysis, policy advice and convening governments, industry and development partners to accelerate progress towards universal access.

Building on the momentum of the first Summit on Clean Cooking in Africa in 2024, the IEA will convene a high-level virtual session on 9 July to take stock of progress and announce new financial and policy commitments ahead of the second Summit.