IEA Ministerial Meeting 2026
The 2026 IEA Ministerial Meeting is the biennial high-level gathering of the International Energy Agency (IEA), bringing together energy ministers from member and partner countries, industry leaders, CEOs, heads of international organizations, and civil society representatives. Held in Paris, it reviews global energy developments, assesses the IEA's work, and addresses priorities such as energy security, affordability, sustainability, clean energy transitions, innovation, and access.
The meeting occurs amid ongoing debates on the IEA's role, including U.S. concerns over its climate focus versus energy security.
Overview[edit | edit source]
The IEA Ministerial Meeting is a key forum for setting the Agency's strategic direction every two years. The 2026 edition focuses on the latest energy market and policy developments, implications for security, affordability, and clean transitions. It includes discussions on innovation, energy access, clean cooking, AI and data centres' energy demands, demand flexibility, and more.
The meeting is chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Sophie Hermans of the Netherlands. It coincides with the IEA's 3rd annual Energy Innovation Forum on 18 February, featuring the launch of reports like The State of Energy Innovation 2026.
Dates and Location[edit | edit source]
| Date | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 18 February 2026 | IEA Energy Innovation Forum 2026 + Ministerial sessions (starting from morning) | Includes livestreams for select sessions; focus on innovation, access, and clean cooking |
| 18–19 February 2026 | Main Ministerial Meeting | High-level dialogues, ministerial statements, CEO roundtables; chaired by Netherlands |
| 19 February 2026 | Closing sessions and press conference | 14:15–14:45 CET: Closing Press Conference with Chair Sophie Hermans and IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol |
All times are in Paris time (CET). The meeting is invite-only for in-person attendance, but select sessions are livestreamed on the IEA website.
Key Highlights and Live Coverage[edit | edit source]
- **Livestream**: Available for several sessions via the official IEA page: https://www.iea.org/events/2026-iea-ministerial-meeting (look for "LIVESTREAM" indicators on specific sessions like opening remarks, high-level dialogues, and closing press conference).
- Topics include advancing energy access, clean cooking solutions, secure/affordable/sustainable systems, technology innovation, supply chains, and demand flexibility.
- Notable participation: Ministers from Ireland (Darragh O'Brien, chairing AI/data centres event), Finland (Sari Multala), EU representatives (Teresa Ribera, Dan Jørgensen), and others from over 40 governments.
- Pre-meeting context: U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright reiterated calls for IEA reforms to prioritize energy security over climate advocacy.
For the full agenda, session times, and livestream links, visit the official event page.
See also[edit | edit source]
The meeting is ongoing as of 18 February 2026 (current time in Dhaka: afternoon). For real-time updates, follow @IEA on social media or check the IEA website for livestreams and news. This biennial event shapes global energy policy directions for the coming years.