Minister Jeff Radebe: South Africa joins International Energy Agency as an Association Country

South Africa joins the International Energy Agency as an Association Country Minister Jeff Radebe, MP Minister of Energy Date: 06 November 2018 Venue: Cape Town International Convention Centre 1, Cape Town, South Africa


Programme Director,
Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, Dr Fatih Birol
Honourable Ministers and Deputy Ministers present
Presidents and Vice Presidents of National and International Oil Companies
Executives or Representatives of various local and international companies
Senior Government Officials
All organisations across the Oil Sector Value Chain
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentleman
Good Morning,

In July 2011, South Africa through the Department of Energy, entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Energy Agency (IEA). This MoU would see South Africa and IEA collaborate and exchange information in Energy Planning and Training. This collaboration is highlighted through the following activities;

  • IEA participation in the Integrated Energy Planning Colloquium which was hosted by the Department of Energy in March 2012.
  • Bi-annual training in Energy Statistics and the compilation of National Energy Balances (October 2012, March 2013).
  • Energy Training in Paris attended by the Department of Energy officials in March – April 2014 and 4. Reports on Data Collection and Energy Balances prepared by IEA for South Africa. amongst other many activities.

In March this year, after all Government processes were followed, I approved that South Africa joins the IEA as an Association Country making us the 8th Association country to join after Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Morocco, Singapore and Thailand.

I believe this decision positions South Africa at a centre of global energy forum and will yield positive economic benefits for South Africa as we learn from IEA Member Countries and other Association Countries.

The IEA Association initiative is based on an inclusive approach, adapting and evolving in a voluntary, non-binding manner. It captures the benefits and responsibilities of both parties. I believe that this membership will provide South Africa with a platform for regular dialogue with the IEA, its Members and Association countries, through the participation in meetings of IEA Standing Groups and Committees and Ministerial Meetings.

All of this would not have been possible without our close working relationship with the Executive Director of IEA, Dr Fatih Birol. Dr. Birol has served as the Executive Director of the IEA since September 2015, and under his leadership the IEA has evolved, opening its doors to major emerging economies and becoming recognised as the Global Energy Authority.

The IEA family today includes 38 countries and represents 75% of global energy consumption. Dr. Birol has spent 20 years at the IEA, prior to which he worked at OPEC. Throughout his career he has received the highest distinguished honours from several countries and he has been recognised as one of the world’s most influential people in the energy field. Dr. Birol also chairs the World Economic Forum’s (Davos) Energy Advisory Board in addition to serving on the UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on ‘Sustainable Energy for All’.

I wish to extend a warm welcome to you and your colleagues to our beautiful country and mother city, Cape Town.

I also extend my appreciation for your efforts in working with South Africa towards achieving this important milestone in becoming an Association country.

We are looking forward to more meaningful collaboration and working together towards achieving global energy objectives of affordable and accessible cleaner energy for the benefit of the globe. I now wish to invite my counterpart, Dr Birol to make some opening remarks.

Thank You.

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