The general decision to develop an update as an instrument to mainstream the Energy Charter's principles in the global perspective was made by the organisation's top governing body, the Energy Charter Conference, at the end of 2012.

Delegates also agreed on a new form of political chairmanship for the organisation, which is intended to enhance the Energy Charter's platform for policy dialogue. Finally, the Group supported the proposal on de-restricting Charter documents reviewed by the Energy Charter Conference.

All three initiatives will now be forwarded to the Energy Charter Conference for adoption. Provided the mandate for negotiations on the updated Energy Charter is adopted by the Conference, negotiations could start at the next meeting of the Strategy Group in early 2014.