On 25 August 2022, the Secretary-General of the Energy Charter Secretariat, Mr Guy Lentz, and the Deputy Secretary-General, Ms Atsuko Hirose, held an online meeting with the Chair of the International Energy Charter Industry Advisory Panel (IAP), Mr Rafael Cayuela.

The parties exchanged opinions on current issues related to energy  and climate “crisis” in Europe and the rest of the world, and its impact on energy and food supply, consumption practices, and industrial production. The IAP Chair emphasised the role of industry in addressing the present and potential challenges caused by the ongoing crisis faced by the governments, the industry, and consumers.

Secretary-General shared some updates on negotiations on the modernisation of the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) and preparations for the Energy Charter Conference in Mongolia in November 2022. The IAP Chair informed the Secretariat of the IAP's intention to release a statement expressing IAP’s views on the agreement in principle on the modernisation of the ECT reached by Contracting Parties of the ECT.

The IAP Chair further provided an update on future events and actions contemplated by the IAP.  The parties discussed the timing and the content of the next IAP meeting, which will cover the adoption and implementation of the mid-term strategy of the IAP and the Panel's restructuring process.

It was decided by the parties that the upcoming IAP meeting planned in December 2022 will focus on two main topics deeply affecting today’s world: a) the Ukraine-Russia conflict (damage assessment and magnitude of future investments needed) and b) climate change, and their impact on the world economy and the concrete short-term actions to be taken to address these critical challenges. Secretary-General and the IAP Chair agreed to invite political leaders, industry managers and experts to participate in thematic sessions of the IAP meeting, covering issues of pressing interest to the governments and the industry.

The meeting was concluded by agreeing on a follow-up meeting to discuss the next steps and upcoming joint activities.

The Industry Advisory Panel is the expert consultative body to the Energy Charter Conference, providing policy advice from energy companies, international business associations and financial institutions on energy investment and the functioning of energy markets. The Panel members represent all sectors of the energy industry from a wide range of Members and Observers of the Energy Charter Conference.