IEA hosts high-level energy dialogue with Türkiye and Australia

Amid major energy crisis, participants from some 50 governments discussed energy security, electrification, clean cooking in Africa and more ahead of COP31 summit

The Presidency of COP31 today named the International Energy Agency (IEA) as a strategic partner of the international climate conference that will take place in Antalya, Türkiye, in November. The partnership was announced by COP31 President-Designate Murat Kurum and IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol at the opening of a jointly hosted High-Level Energy Transition Dialogue at the IEA's headquarters in Paris.

The High-Level Dialogue convened ministers, ambassadors and other senior officials of governments representing almost two-thirds of the world's population, as well as a broad range of high-level stakeholders, including leaders from four previous COP Presidencies, private sector executives and civil society figures. It was also held in partnership with Australia, which is leading the negotiations for COP31 in close cooperation with Pacific countries, with Fiji and Tuvalu hosting pre-COP events in October.

Building on the strong role previous High-Level Dialogue series have played in shaping COP outcomes, the discussion served as an opportunity for President-Designate Kurum - who is also Türkiye's Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change - to lay out the COP31 Presidency's strategic vision and priorities and for countries to share their perspectives.

President-Designate Kurum said the strategic partnership with the IEA would involve relying on the Agency's data, analysis and policy advice across a range of key topics, including the emissions implications of zero waste strategies, expanding clean cooking access and the electrification of industry.

"As the world faces an unprecedented energy security threat due to disruptions to oil and gas supplies from the Middle East, I am encouraged by the positive discussions today on the urgent need to scale up secure, affordable and sustainable energy solutions that benefit everyone, especially those who lack access to modern energy services," said IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol. "I would like to thank President-Designate Kurum and the governments of Türkiye and Australia for their commitment to delivering a successful COP31 in Antalya - and for their trust and confidence in the IEA by naming us as a strategic partner. I look forward to working closely with them in the months ahead."

"The current crisis has driven fossil fuel dependency and energy security to the top of the global agenda. The best way to protect citizens from the violent convulsions of global energy markets is to accelerate the clean energy transition," said COP31 President-Designate Murat Kurum. "In this context, I am delighted to announce a strategic partnership between COP31 and the IEA. Combining the IEA's unparalleled technical expertise with the unique convening power and political leadership of COP, we will deliver concrete solutions and help build agreement on energy systems fit for the future."

"COP31 will bring the world's attention to the existential threat climate change poses to the Pacific, while also highlighting the solutions we know can work to lower bills and emissions. As President of Negotiations for COP31, I warmly welcome the decision to partner with the International Energy Agency, a respected authority on the global clean energy transition," said Australia's Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen. "The current global fuel crisis only strengthens the case for clean, sovereign energy and global climate action. Conflicts can't stop the sun, the wind doesn't depend on shipping. Renewables are the fastest-growing source of electricity because the world is acting and investing. Global action is working, but COP31 must be a clean energy and electrification accelerator."

Amid the current energy crisis resulting from the near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz, participants in today's dialogue stressed the critical role that electrification, energy efficiency and low-emissions technologies can play in strengthening energy security and affordability while also helping deliver progress towards their emissions targets. They also spoke about the significant opportunity to accelerate the electrification of the industrial sector.

During the dialogue, participants agreed on the need to speed up progress on expanding access to electricity and clean cooking around the world. They noted that the upcoming IEA Summit on Clean Cooking in Africa in July - co-chaired with governments of Kenya, Norway and the United States - will serve as an important moment to accelerate momentum on this issue ahead of COP31, where it will be a key focus.

In addition, participants spoke about the energy implications of increasing efforts to build a zero-waste economy, including a potential global target for recycling, reusing biomethane from waste, and more. They also discussed what is needed to accelerate action on methane emissions more broadly.

In line with past High-Level Dialogue series for previous COPs, the COP31 Presidency and the IEA will hold additional meetings between now and November.