Energy ministers from around the world are set to gather in Paris on Feb. 18 and 19, 2026, for the International Energy Agency’s biennial Ministerial Meeting, a high-level forum focused on the evolving state of global energy markets and the policy choices shaping energy security, affordability and sustainability.
The meeting comes at a time of heightened uncertainty in global energy systems, as governments balance the need for reliable and affordable supply with accelerating clean energy transitions and geopolitical pressures. The Paris discussions will provide an opportunity for ministers to assess recent developments in energy markets and review how policy responses are affecting national and global energy outcomes.
Held every two years at the IEA’s headquarters in Paris, the Ministerial Meeting serves as the agency’s central governance and strategic review forum. Participants will take stock of the IEA’s work since the previous Ministerial and examine emerging challenges and opportunities facing energy systems worldwide, including supply resilience, investment needs and innovation pathways.
The 2026 Ministerial will be chaired by Sophie Hermans, Deputy Prime Minister of the Netherlands. Her role underscores the increasing prominence of energy policy within broader economic and political agendas, particularly as governments seek to strengthen energy security while advancing climate and industrial objectives.
While the Ministerial Meeting is anchored by government representation, it will also bring together a broad cross-section of global stakeholders. Chief executive officers from the energy sector and other industries are expected to participate, alongside leaders of international organisations and representatives from civil society. The diverse mix reflects the IEA’s emphasis on whole-of-economy and whole-of-society approaches to addressing energy challenges.
Running alongside the Ministerial on Feb. 18 will be the IEA’s third annual Energy Innovation Forum, which has become a key platform for dialogue on how technological progress and policy frameworks can accelerate energy transitions. Now in its third edition, the forum will convene senior government officials with executives from large corporations, start-ups and the investment community, as well as representatives from community and innovation ecosystems.
The Energy Innovation Forum is designed to move beyond high-level commitments, offering in-depth exchanges on selected topics related to energy innovation policy and the development of supportive innovation ecosystems. Discussions are expected to focus on recent advances in clean energy technologies, barriers to scaling innovation, and the role of public-private collaboration in bringing new solutions to market.
To inform those discussions, the IEA will release the 2026 edition of The State of Energy Innovation report on the morning of the forum. The report is expected to provide an updated assessment of global energy innovation trends, including research and development spending, deployment progress and gaps that could hinder long-term energy and climate goals. Previous editions have been closely watched by policymakers and investors for insights into where innovation momentum is building — and where additional policy support may be required.
Media access will be available for select sessions of both the Ministerial Meeting and the Energy Innovation Forum. Journalists will also have access to an on-site media centre and a press conference featuring Deputy Prime Minister Hermans and IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol, offering an opportunity for direct questions and commentary on the outcomes of the meetings.
The IEA Ministerial has traditionally played a key role in shaping international energy dialogue, particularly among advanced economies, but its relevance has broadened as energy transitions become a central economic issue worldwide. For Canadian policymakers, businesses and investors, the discussions in Paris are likely to provide important signals on global policy direction, innovation priorities and the future balance between energy security and sustainability.
Members of the media interested in attending the event in person are encouraged to express interest by contacting [email protected]. Further details on accreditation and logistics are expected to be communicated in January, ahead of the February meetings.
