What is International Gas Union mean? The International Gas Union (IGU) was founded in 1931. It is a worldwide non-profit organisation registered in Vevey, Switzerland with the Secretariat currently located in Barcelona, Spain.
The mission of IGU is to advocate gas as an integral part of a sustainable global energy system, and to promote the political, technical and economic progress of the gas industry. The more than 150 members of IGU are associations and corporations of the gas industry representing over 95% of the global gas market. The working organisation of IGU covers the complete value of gas chain from exploration and production, transmission via pipelines and liquefied natural gas (LNG), as well as distribution and combustion of gas at the point of use.
IGU encourages international trade in gas by supporting non-discriminatory policies and sound contracting principles and practices, promoting development of technologies which add to the environmental benefits of gas and further enhance safe production, transmission, distribution and utilisation of gas.
The IGU organises the leading global gas events, World Gas Conference (WGC), LNG X and IGRC X, every three years. The WGC is the landmark event for the global gas industry held in the country holding the Presidency of the IGU. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the forthcoming WGC 2021 was re-branded as WGC 22 and rescheduled to May 23-27, 2022 in Daegu, Korea. LNG 2022 was re-branded to LNG 2023 and rescheduled to July 3-7, 2023 in St. Petersburg, Russia. IGRC 2020 took place in February 2020 in Muscat, Oman.
The IGU issues annually, major reports including the Global Gas Report, World LNG Report and the Wholesale Price Survey Report. In June 2020, the IGU launched a new publication, Global Voice of Gas, showcasing the key role of natural gas/gas products as an effective tool for a sustainable energy future, in driving economic development and as a reliable, stable and secure source of energy.
On November 9, 2020 the IGU announced the appointment of Mr Andy Calitz as its next Secretary-General with effect from 1st of August 2021. An experienced energy executive with a comprehensive background in the global gas industry, Mr Calitz was a member of Shell’s senior executive group for almost 15 years and has worked in Canada, Russia, China, Australia, South America, Europe and Africa. Mr Calitz will start serving as Deputy Secretary General for a four-month transition period from 1st of April 2021. Current Secretary-General Luis Bertran will complete his mandate in July 2021.
On November 23, 2020 the IGU announced that Italy has been chosen to hold the organisation’s presidency from 2025 to 2028. The city of Milan will also host the 30th World Gas Conference in 2028. Prior to assuming the role of President, the head of Italy’s presidential team, Mr Andrea Stegher will serve the IGU as Vice President, initially alongside Madam Li Yalan of the People’s Republic of China, who will become president after the next World Gas Conference in Daegu, South Korea.
The present leadership of the IGU is as follows: Dr. Joe Kang acts as President of the IGU for 2018–2021 on behalf of the Korean Presidency. Luis Bertran is Secretary General of IGU. Mdm Li Yalan is the Vice-President and David Carroll is the past President of the IGU on behalf of the USA Presidency (2015-2018).
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