Editing International Energy Agency

The '''International Energy Agency''' ('''IEA'''; French: Agence internationale de l'énergie) is a Paris-based autonomous intergovernmental organization established in 1974 under the framework of the [[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development]] (OECD). It serves as the world's leading authority on energy policy, providing authoritative analysis, data, policy recommendations, and practical solutions to promote energy security, affordability, sustainability, and the global transition to clean energy systems.

Founded in response to the 1973 oil crisis, the IEA's original mandate focused on coordinating responses to oil supply disruptions among industrialized nations. Over time, its scope has expanded significantly to encompass all fuels and technologies, including renewables, natural gas, electricity, critical minerals, energy efficiency, innovation, and climate-related energy challenges.

== History ==
The IEA was created on 18 November 1974 following the 1973–1974 oil crisis, when OPEC's oil embargo caused severe supply disruptions and price spikes. The founding agreement established mechanisms for oil emergency sharing, energy conservation, diversification of supplies, and international cooperation.

Initial founding members included 16 countries: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, and United States (France abstained initially but joined later).

The organization has evolved from an oil-focused security body to a comprehensive energy forum, now covering clean energy transitions, net-zero pathways, and emerging issues like AI-driven energy demand and critical minerals supply chains.

== Mission and Activities ==
The IEA's core mission is to shape a secure and sustainable energy future for all by working with governments, industry, and international partners. Key activities include:

* Monitoring global energy markets and publishing flagship reports (e.g., World Energy Outlook, Oil Market Report, Global EV Outlook).
* Providing data and statistics on energy supply, demand, emissions, and technologies.
* Advising on energy policies for security, affordability, efficiency, and decarbonization.
* Facilitating technology collaboration through Technology Collaboration Programmes (TCPs).
* Coordinating emergency oil stock releases and response mechanisms.
* Promoting energy access, clean cooking, and innovation.

The IEA covers ~80% of global energy consumption through its members and associates.

== Membership ==
{| class="wikitable"
!Category
!Details
!Examples
|-
|Full Members
|31 OECD-aligned countries committed to the International Energy Program
|United States, Japan, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Canada, Australia, etc.
|-
|Association Countries
|Emerging economies with strategic partnerships
|Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, South Africa, Thailand, etc.
|-
|Coverage
|Members + associates represent over 80% of global energy use, 64% of production, and significant clean energy investment
|}

== Leadership ==

* '''Executive Director''': Dr. Fatih Birol (since 2015), who has modernized the agency by expanding its focus to emerging economies, clean technologies, and broader energy security.
* The Governing Board, comprising member country representatives, oversees operations.

== Key Events ==
The IEA hosts the biennial Ministerial Meeting, a high-level forum for energy ministers.

The '''2026 IEA Ministerial Meeting''' is ongoing in Paris on 18–19 February 2026, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Sophie Hermans (Netherlands). It includes the Energy Innovation Forum on 18 February and features discussions on energy security, affordability, clean transitions, AI/data centre demands, innovation, and access. Select sessions are livestreamed on the official site: https://www.iea.org/events/2026-iea-ministerial-meeting.

== See also ==

* [[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development]] (OECD)
* [[Energy security]]
* [[Clean energy transition]]
* [[World Energy Outlook]]
* [[Fatih Birol]]

For the latest reports, data visualizations, policies database, and real-time updates, visit the official website at https://www.iea.org/. The IEA remains central to global energy dialogue, balancing traditional security with the urgent need for sustainable systems.