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How governments can best support consumers during this energy crisis
…on energy in absolute terms, broad-based price reductions often deliver greater financial gains to higher-income groups. For example, a recent study in the Netherlands estimates that around 70% of the total value of a broadly applied reduction in fuel excise duty ends up benefiting middle-high and higher-income groups.This is particularly important because lower-income households are also the most exposed to energy price shocks. At the height of the 2022 energy crisis, low-income households in advanced economies spent around one-quarter of their income on energy – up 4 percentage points from 2021. By contrast…
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Executive Director meets with Prime Minister of Netherlands to discuss energy security amid Hormuz crisis
…Jetten of the Netherlands and senior government officials to discuss the impacts and implications of the energy crisis resulting from the war in the Middle East, along with measures to bolster energy security in the near and longer term.In their bilateral meeting in The Hague, Prime Minister Jetten and Dr Birol spoke about the current geopolitical and energy market situation, as well as the importance of oil and natural gas stocks in buffering against market shocks. They also discussed energy priorities for the upcoming COP31 summit in Antalya, Türkiye, in November.Dr Birol also met with the Netherlands' Minister…
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2026 Ministerial Closing Press Conference
Ministerial Chair and Deputy Prime Minister of The Netherlands Sophie Hermans and IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol will address the media in this closing press conference, taking place in the OECD Conference Centre auditorium.
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2026 IEA Ministerial Chair's Summary
The 2026 IEA Ministerial and the 297th session of the IEA Governing Board were chaired by H.E. Sophie Hermans, Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Climate Policy and Green Growth of the Netherlands, on 18-19 February 2026 in Paris.ContextTwo years after the successful fiftieth anniversary meeting of the IEA in 2024, this meeting convened Energy Ministers from IEA Member countries, together with invited IEA Accession and Association countries, key partner countries, leaders from the IEA Energy Business Council (EBC), and representatives of international organisations and multilateral development and finance institutions.Ministers acknowledged the role of the IEA as…
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IEA’s third Energy Innovation Forum spotlights accelerating innovation as a catalyst for global competitiveness
More than 300 participants from over 40 countries convene to examine progress and challenges in energy innovation 18 February 2026 Co-hosted with the Government of the Netherlands, the third annual IEA Energy Innovation Forum brought together more than 300 participants from around the world for a forward-looking discussion on the status and prospects for energy innovation.Held in Paris on the margins of the 2026 IEA Ministerial Meeting, the forum brought together policy makers, innovators, investors, researchers and industry leaders from over 40 countries to examine the opportunities and risks facing energy technology innovation, and to identify priority…
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IEA Ministerial: In the Age of Electricity, energy security depends on resilience and cooperation
…energy security in the Age of Electricity that took place in Paris on 18 February alongside the 2026 IEA Ministerial Meeting.More than 120 Ministers, power system operators, industry representatives and civil society leaders took part in the high-level dialogue to examine how the rapid expansion of electricity systems globally is redefining energy security and what policy responses are needed to address emerging risks. The session was led by Deputy Prime Minister of the Netherlands Sophie Hermans, who chaired the IEA Ministerial, IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol, UK Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Miliband…
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High-level dialogue explores key measures for funding investments in Ukraine’s energy security
Ministers and other high-level officials from around the world recently met to discuss ways to support Ukraine’s energy future, focusing on measures that would strengthen the security of its energy system and options for financing them.The event in Paris took place on 18 February during the IEA’s 2026 Ministerial Meeting and was led by Deputy Prime Minister Sophie Hermans of the Netherlands, who chaired the IEA Ministerial; IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol; Lithuania’s Energy Minister Žygimantas Vaičiūnas; and Poland’s Energy Minister Miłosz Motyka. It included the participation of Deputy Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal of Ukraine…
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Viet Nam joins the IEA Family
…Paris held in Paris on 18-19 February, reflecting the shared commitment of IEA Members and Viet Nam to deepen cooperation at a time of rapid change in energy markets.Viet Nam’s Ambassador to France Trinh Duc Hai participated in the IEA Ministerial, which was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Sophie Hermans of the Netherlands. The meeting brought together top government officials and senior executives from around the world to discuss the evolving global energy landscape and reinforce international collaboration on key topics.“Joining the IEA Family marks a significant milestone, recognizing Viet Nam’s strong efforts and determination…
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IEA Ministerial hosts high-level dialogue to accelerate clean cooking and energy access
…announced two major developments to strengthen international coordination: the planned integration of the Clean Cooking Alliance into the IEA, creating a more unified platform for data, policy support and investment mobilisation; and the confirmation that the next Summit on Clean Cooking in Africa will take place in Nairobi on 9-10 July 2026.The high-level dialogue was led by Deputy Prime Minister of the Netherlands Sophie Hermans, Dr Birol, Kenya’s Minister of Energy and Petroleum of Kenya James Opiyo Wandayi, United States Secretary of Energy Chris Wright and Norway’s Minister of Energy of Norway Terje Lien Aasland…
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2026 IEA Ministerial Meeting
…The IEA's Ministerial Meeting, which takes place every two years in Paris, provides an opportunity to review the Agency’s achievements and discuss key global energy challenges and opportunities. The 2026 Ministerial will be chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Sophie Hermans of the Netherlands.In addition to government ministers, industry CEOs from the energy sector and beyond will take part in discussions during the Ministerial, as well as heads of other international organisations and civil society representatives.The IEA's 3rd annual Energy Innovation Forum will take place alongside the Ministerial on 18 February. Chair See more Host Governments…