Executive Director discusses G20 energy and climate priorities with Brazilian and Indian Ministers

IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol met Thursday with Brazilian Minister of Mines and Energy Alexandre Silveira and Indian Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri in Davos, Switzerland, during the World Economic Forum to discuss the energy and climate priorities of the two countries’ G20 Presidencies and the IEA’s ongoing support for them.

Brazil holds the G20 Presidency for 2024, and India held it in 2023. The IEA provided expert analysis and advice on energy, climate and development issues for India’s Presidency, including on renewables, energy efficiency, innovation and India’s Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) initiative. For Brazil’s Presidency this year, the IEA and the Brazilian government have agreed to intensify collaboration in areas such as energy access, clean energy manufacturing and efforts to ensure fair and inclusive energy transitions.

A key priority for both India and Brazil’s G20 Presidencies is biofuels, an important and growing area of clean energy where both countries are playing a leading role. Under its Presidency, India launched the Global Biofuel Alliance, which aims to accelerate the uptake of sustainable biofuels worldwide. The IEA’s support for this area included a special report, Biofuel Policy in Brazil, India and the United States.

In Davos on Thursday, the two Ministers and Dr Birol took part in high-level discussion on the major potential of biofuels. Both Ministers noted the IEA’s leadership role in providing guidance and support on global development of biofuels and bioenergy.

Minister Silveira and Dr Birol agreed to continue discussions about cooperation on biofuels and Brazil’s other G20 energy and climate priorities when Dr Birol visits Brasília later this month.