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18th International Energy Agency (IEA) Ministerial Meeting
(Outline and Assessment)

16 May 2001
(revised 4 August 2001)

The 18th Meeting of the Governing Board at Ministerial Level of the International Energy Agency (IEA) took place in Paris, on 15 and 16 May 2001, under the chairmanship of Mr. Christian Pierret, Secretary of State for Energy, France. The meeting was attended by Mr. Takeo Hiranuma, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, and Mr. Shigeo Uetake, Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, among other ministers. The following is an outline and evaluation of the meeting.

1. Outline

(1) Overview

  1. In the Ministerial Session on 16 May, three subjects were discussed: "Security of Supply," "Evolving Energy Markets," and "Meeting the Challenge of Sustainable Development," followed by the adoption of the Communiqué.
  2. At the Ministerial working dinner held on 15 May, discussions revolved around the theme "The Context for Policymaking: The Role of Governments in Evolving Energy Markets." The dinner, during which Mr. Spencer Abraham, Secretary of Energy of the United States, presented a preview of the new U.S. national energy policy, was also attended by ministers from the People's Republic of China and India as well as business representatives. The Ministerial lunch, held on 16 May, whose topic was "The Global Dimensions of Energy Issues," was also attended by ministers from China and India, providing an opportunity for further dialogue between IEA members and non-members.

(2) Security of Supply

  1. Minister Hiranuma, who was the first speaker of this session, laid out five measures that should be undertaken in order to ensure energy security: (i) enhancement of emergency response mechanisms, (ii) increased transparency in oil markets, (iii) promotion of upstream development, (iv) energy diversification, energy efficiency and conservation, and (v) cooperation with non-IEA developing countries.
  2. A number of countries expressed their support and high expectations for the 8th International Energy Forum to be held in Japan in 2002, as a means to further the development of dialogue between energy producers and consumers.

(3) Evolving Energy Markets

  1. Following remarks from Sweden and Finland, Minister Hiranuma, while confirming the merits of energy liberalization, pointed out the importance of governments' role in responding to such issues as energy security and the environment, and also the importance of advancing market reforms under an appropriate system designing in order to achieve the "3Es" (economic growth, energy security, and environmental protection).
  2. The electricity crisis in California was discussed, among other issues. It was generally agreed that, in principle, market reforms should be beneficial.

(4) Meeting the Challenge of Sustainable Development

  1. Following remarks from the Netherlands, concerning the issues of climate change, Senior Vice-Minister Uetake emphasized the importance of early entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol, which is the only international framework currently feasible. Many participating countries concurred with his view.
  2. The importance of further promoting energy diversification and energy conservation, which have been priorities for IEA members, was confirmed.

2. Assessment

(1) The meeting was significant in that common recognition shared as the IEA member countries was expressed over the following points in the Communiqué.

  1. The importance of energy security.
  2. The reaffirmation of the IEA's "Shared Goals", as well as the continued importance of energy policies aiming to achieve the 3Es in the future.
  3. The support for the diversification of energy systems - both by energy type and by source.
    The recognition that each country will choose the mix of fuels, including nuclear and renewables.
    The commitment for the improvement of energy efficiency.
  4. The emphsized importance of dialogue and cooperation with non-IEA member countries, in particular developing nations in Asia and also of dialogue between energy producers and consumers. Support and expectations were expressed for the 8th International Energy Forum to be held in Japan in 2002.
  5. The commitment for continuing energy market and regulatory reform in member countries and within the framework of the IEA. The expression of the view that while the framework for energy markets will be shaped by government policies, normally markets work best when allowed to operate freely, as well as the recognition that while the advance of regulatory reform will deliver long-term benefits, it can entail a difficult period of transition.

(2) In this gathering of the IEA members, Japan explained once again its view on the Kyoto Protocol, and received support from many countries present.

(3) On the occasion of the IEA Ministerial Meeting, a preparatory meeting for the Meeting of G8 Energy Ministers was also held (with the attendance of Senior Vice-Minister Uetake, and Mr. Hirokazu Hayashi, Director-General for Natural Resources and Energy Policy of the Agency of Natural Resources and Energy). At the preparatory meeting, it was agreed that the G8 would continue to discuss the agenda and timing of the G8 Ministerial Meeting towards the 2001 G8 Summit in Genoa.

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