In the wake of the modernisation process, the new International Energy Charter was successfully adopted by 75 countries on 20 May 2015 in The Hague, Netherlands. It is a political declaration mapping out market-based economic principles for international energy relations. Consuming, producing and transit countries, developed and developing ones, can therefore share views and a common understanding when pursuing the objective of global energy security and universal access to energy. 

Signatory of the new International Energy Charter, China is by now the world’s biggest energy producer and consumer with an increasing dependency on foreign imported oil and gas. Also, the presence of Chinese energy companies has spread over all continents. The global trend of energy cooperation and China’s new opening-up pattern enable this country to participate more in international energy cooperation. In addition to the new political declaration, the Energy Charter offers the only legal binding framework in energy, which provides a good platform to the new booming economies. 

The Club de la Energía is a non-profit organisation that contributes to a better understanding of national and international energy issues. It has more than 250 members and is currently directed by Mr Arcadio Gutiérrez. The conference on 2 July was attended by more than 50 participants from all stakeholders. The programme included presentations by Ms Gema Rico (Comisión Nacional de Mercados y Competencia) and prominent professors such as Ms Leigh Hancher, Mr José Manuel Díaz Lema and Mr Iñigo del Guayo.