HCMC – At its 2026 Ministerial Meeting held in Paris, France on February 18 and 19, the International Energy Agency (IEA) officially approved the proposal to admit Vietnam as an association country.
Addressing the meeting, Vietnamese Ambassador to France Trinh Duc Hai said that the IEA’s decision is a clear testament to Vietnam’s relentless efforts and high determination in its energy transition journey and global climate action.
The ambassador affirmed Vietnam’s strong support for the shared vision of building a truly global energy organization – one that accurately reflects emerging energy trends and balances the interests of both member and association countries. He declared that Vietnam is ready and will contribute proactively to global energy dialogues.
The Vietnam News Agency cited Fatih Birol, executive director of IEA, as saying that member countries highly value the deepening partnership with Vietnam. He said Vietnam – a nation of over 100 million people with significant potential in solar power, hydropower, and natural gas, as well as upcoming prospects in nuclear energy – will be a vital member of IEA.
The two-day event was attended by top government officials from a record 54 countries, with some 40 of them at ministerial level. Top executives from 55 companies, with a combined market capitalisation of US$14 trillion, as well as leaders from a range of intergovernmental organisations, also participated, according to the agency’s website.
In addition, the agency approved new phases of institutional ties with several key countries around the world that are increasingly shaping energy trends. They unanimously invited Colombia to become the agency’s 33rd member and agreed to invite Brazil to begin the process of becoming a full member. They also all welcomed recent developments in discussions with India following the Indian government’s request to become a full IEA member.
