Prime Minister Keir Starmer of the United Kingdom and President Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission addressed the international Summit on the Future of Energy Security in London today (April 24) where 120 high-level figures - including Ministers, CEOs and leaders of international institutions and civil society organisations - are gathering this week to lay the foundations for a more holistic approach to energy security for today's fast-changing world.
"Energy security is national security, and it is therefore a fundamental duty of government," Prime Minister Starmer said. "In the UK, we're stepping up now to make energy a source not of vulnerability and worry, which it is at the moment and has been for so long, but a source of strength, of security and pride."
"Reliable and affordable energy is the lifeblood of our economies," President von der Leyen said. "It sustains our industrial and economic competitiveness." In the same keynote address, the European Commission President set out the actions Europe is taking on energy security: "We are also working to ensure that the clean industries of the future are built in Europe, with a clean industrial deal. We will mobilise over 100 billion to support clean manufacturing."
Convened by the IEA in partnership with the UK government, the two-day Summit opens today, bringing together some 60 governments from all continents. The high-level participants represent a broad spectrum of perspectives and priorities - including major energy importers and exporters, and countries facing challenges in terms of energy access, affordability and climate resilience. Together, they are seeking to forge a stronger consensus on how to best address both traditional and emerging energy security risks.
UK Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Miliband and IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol are co-chairing the event.
"Energy is the foundation of modern life," Dr Birol said. "But without energy security, there can be no economic stability, energy poverty will remain unsolved, and we will not be able to meet our sustainability goals. Fifty years on from the IEA's establishment, this Summit highlights that energy security remains as important as ever."
Secretary Miliband said: "The world is entering a new era, and it is clearer than ever that there can be no national security without energy security. That's why the UK is showing global leadership alongside the International Energy Agency by bringing the world together for the first major global summit on clean energy as energy security. We are co-hosting this Summit to come together and cooperate on rising to the challenges we face and seizing the opportunities to act."
The two-day Summit comes at a pivotal moment. Recent years have brought numerous energy-related shocks - from the global pandemic and Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine to supply chain disruptions, extreme weather events, and cyberattacks. At the same time, the global energy landscape is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by the expansion of clean energy technologies, shifting patterns in supply and demand, electrification and geopolitical developments.
In response, the Summit will explore how to strengthen energy security - individually and collectively - through an approach that reflects these changes. Discussions will span a wide range of topics, including:
- Resilience of electricity systems in the face of rising demand
- Growing digitalisation and extreme weather
- The role of clean energy technologies in diversifying energy supply and reducing vulnerabilities
- Ensuring secure and sustainable supply chains for critical minerals
- The importance of oil and gas security and emergency response capabilities
- Strategies for enhancing investment, efficiency, and resilience across energy systems
- Cooperation and coordination across borders, sectors and institutions.
"The world is entering a new age of electricity, driven by clean energy technologies and digital innovation," said Dr Birol. "This brings new opportunities but also new vulnerabilities. Diversification of supply - whether it's oil, gas or critical minerals - remains a golden rule of energy security. We must be prepared to act quickly and collectively."
The IEA has long served as the world's leading authority on energy security, originally established over 50 years ago following the 1973 oil shock. This week's Summit is a recognition that while the nature of risks may be evolving, the need for secure, reliable and affordable energy remains as vital as ever.
On 23 April, a series of high-level orbital events brought together decision makers and experts from government, industry and academia to inform the main Summit discussions. Topics included gas security, critical minerals, gender, methane, and support for Ukraine's energy system.
Key sessions of the Summit are being livestreamed on the IEA's digital platforms, including through the official Summit event page.
