Energy
Foreign Minister Hayashi’s meeting with Dr. Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the IEA
On May 20, commencing at 11:00 a.m. (JST) for approximately 20 minutes, on the occasion of G7 Hiroshima summit, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs had a meeting with Dr. Fatih Birol Executive Director of International Energy Agency (IEA). The overview is as follows.
- Minister Hayashi expressed his gratitude for Executive Director Birol’s attendance to the G7 Hiroshima Summit and for the IEA’s significant contribution to the G7’s discussion on climate change and energy issues. Minister Hayashi mentioned that our goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 remains unchanged even while the Russian aggression against Ukraine reminds us of the importance of energy security, and that, at the same time, under these circumstances, it is necessary to draw various pathways for energy transitions according to the individual circumstances of each country and region.
- Minister Hayashi also mentioned that Japan would like to continue its close cooperation with the IEA, recognizing its increasingly important role in addressing the challenge of achieving decarbonization while ensuring energy security.
- Executive Director Birol stated that he highly appreciates and expects Japan’s leadership on energy security and climate change. Executive Director Birol also mentioned that Japan and the IEA share the view that the concept of “One Goal, Various Pathways” is important in achieving decarbonization, and that the IEA would like to continue its cooperation with Japan.
- Minister Hayashi and Executive Director Birol also concurred on the point that in addressing the current energy issues it is important to cooridate with foreign policy, and had a candid discussion in this regard.
The IEA was established in 1974, after the first oil crisis, as an autonomous organization under the framework of the OECD at the suggestion of then U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger with the main purpose of jointly responding to potential disruptions in oil supply. In March 2022, the IEA Governing Board at ministerial level has adopted four new mandates for the IEA: Leading the Global Energy Sector’s Fight Against Climate Change, Ensuring Energy Security During the Energy Transition, Strengthening the IEA Family, IEA Resources: Moving to a Sustainable Funding Model. Its headquarters is located in Paris, France.
Fatih Birol was born in Turkey. Prior to becoming Executive Director in 2015, he most recently held the positions of Chief Economist and Director of Global Energy Economics. In 2013, he received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon. He was named to Time magazine’s list of “the 100 most influential people of 2021”.