First IEA Governing Board meeting in Singapore underscores strong international energy cooperation

The International Energy Agency (IEA), and Singapore's Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) and Energy Market Authority (EMA) are pleased to announce the 295th meeting of the IEA Governing Board in Singapore on 28–29 October 2025. Convened in conjunction with the 18th Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW), this is the first IEA Governing Board meeting to be held in Asia.

According to the press release, Singapore and the IEA reaffirm the importance of strengthening cooperation on regional energy interconnectivity and its interlinkages with energy security. Both underscore the importance of the ASEAN Power Grid in developing a secure, sustainable and resilient energy future for Southeast Asia, and welcome the Singapore-IEA Forum at SIEW on 28 October 2025, which will focus on energy security and the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in enhancing energy efficiency and grid resiliency.

The IEA Governing Board meeting in Singapore will include a Special Joint Session that will bring together senior energy policymakers from ASEAN Member States and the IEA’s 32 Member countries to discuss some of the key energy issues affecting the region. Participants are set to discuss opportunities to strengthen energy security in Southeast Asia, including through the ASEAN Power Grid, as well as to enhance Southeast Asia’s role in critical mineral supply chains.

Singapore and the IEA look forward to strengthening cooperation on energy security, regional interconnectivity and energy technologies ahead of the IEA Ministerial Meeting in Paris in February 2026.

IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said: “Southeast Asia is fundamental to the future of global energy. Based on today’s policy settings, the region’s energy demand – which has already increased by 80% over the past two decades – is set to account for one-quarter of the growth in global energy demand to 2050, second only to India. This dynamic outlook raises serious implications for energy security, affordability and emissions. Fortunately, the region has powerful levers for change, particularly through closer regional coordination and stronger international partnerships.”

IEA Governing Board Chair Anders Hoffmann: “Energy security is a shared responsibility – no country can achieve it alone. We need global cooperation and understanding. This will be the first time the IEA Governing Board convenes in the heart of Southeast Asia. We are grateful to Singapore for hosting and to Australia for making this happen. We are delighted to welcome so many of the regional partners at the Governing Board table. The IEA has been proud to work together with the countries in the region for many years. This meeting provides a valuable opportunity for IEA Members to build upon those trusted relationships and the tangible results of our collaboration. As we mark one year since the inauguration of the IEA Regional Cooperation Centre in Singapore, our commitment to deepening cooperation with Southeast Asian countries and the Pacific region on a secure and connected energy system remains steadfast.”

Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science and Technology Tan See Leng said: “The IEA has been a longstanding and trusted partner in Southeast Asia’s ongoing pursuit of greater energy security, sustainability, and innovation. Singapore is honoured to play host to the IEA Governing Board for its first-ever meeting outside Paris. We also congratulate the IEA Regional Cooperation Centre on a fruitful first year of operations. We look forward to deepening our partnership with the IEA, especially as ASEAN pursues greater regional energy connectivity as well as new renewable energy and energy intensity reduction goals.” 

EMA Chief Executive Puah Kok Keong said: “The convening of the IEA Governing Board meeting in Singapore is timely as ASEAN seeks to realise the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) and work towards our new renewable energy and energy intensity reduction goals under the latest ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (2026–2030). On this occasion of the first anniversary of the establishment of the IEA Regional Cooperation Centre in Singapore, the presence of the IEA Governing Board signals our joint commitment in advancing regional energy security and decarbonisation efforts.”