IEA Executive Director in Mexico as accession talks reach final stages

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Mexico Energy Secretary Joaquin Coldwell (left) meets with IEA Executive Director Dr Fatih Birol on the side-lines of the Mexican Dialogues of the Future of Energy on Tuesday, 12 September 2017 (Photo: IEA)

IEA Executive Director Dr Fatih Birol travelled to Mexico this week to hold talks with Energy Secretary Joaquin Coldwell on the final stages of Mexico’s accession to the International Energy Agency. Secretary Coldwell noted that Mexico expects to complete the formal accession process within the coming months. Mexico would become the 30th member of the IEA following Estonia’s accession in 2014.

While in Mexico, the Executive Director delivered the keynote address to the 7th biennial International Renewable Energy Conference Ministerial, using the occasion to highlight the opportunities and challenges facing renewable energy as it continues to increase its share in the global energy mix. On the margins of the event, Dr Birol held bilaterals with a number of other high level attendees.

Dr Birol's other engagements included participation in a side event co-organized with the Mexican Energy Ministry (SENER) titled “Energy Efficient Future”. This event, opened by Undersecretary Beltran of Mexico and Anders Hoffmann, Deputy Permanent Secretary from Denmark, is the latest example of years of cooperation between the IEA and SENER on this important topic.