16thInternational Energy Forum (IEF) Ministerial Meeting

Question- 16thInternational Energy Forum (IEF) Ministerial Meeting from 10-12th April 2018 will be held in which of the following places?
(a) Riyadh
(b) Baku
(c) Abu Dhabi
(d) New Delhi
Answer: (d) 
Related Facts: 

  • India will host the 16thInternational Energy Forum (IEF) Ministerial Meeting from 10-12thApril 2018 in New Delhi.
  • The biennial IEF Ministerial Meetings are the world’s largest gathering of Energy Ministers who engage in a dialogue on global energy issues.
  • The IEF Ministerial meetings are informal dialogues, at both the political and technical levels, aimed to improve policy and investment decisions, and through increased knowledge and experience sharing.
  • The Minister for External Affairs Smt. Sushma bSwaraj will deliver the valedictory speech at the Concluding session on 12thApril 2018.
  • Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will formally inaugurate the Meeting on 11thApril 2018.
  • Petroleum Ministers from 42 countries would attend the Meeting.
  • Global energy security, sustainable and inclusive growth, energy access and affordability, fiscal regimes and legal reforms to attract investments in the energy sector and energy sector digitalization-benefits and challenges would be part of the deliberations among other important issues.
  • The International Energy Forum (IEF) is an inter-governmental arrangement set up in 1991,based in Riyadh.
  • This forum serves as a neutral facilitator of informal, open, informed and continuing global energy dialogue among its members comprising of energy producing and energy consuming states, including transit countries.
  • There are 72 member countries of IEF, including India, covering all six continents, which are signatories to the Charter of the IEF.
  • Its membership accounts for 90% of global supply and demand for oil and gas.
  • The Executive Board (EB) set up in 2002 comprising of 31 designated representatives of Ministers of the member states comprise the governing board of IEF.
  • It meets twice a year. International Energy Agency (IEA) and Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) are non-voting members of the Executive Board.
  • The EB is chaired by the Host State of the next biennial Ministerial Meeting.Currently, India is the Chair of the Executive Board of IEF.
  • By virtue of being among the top 11 largest consumers of oil and gas(India is presently 4th), India has been the Permanent Member of the Executive Board since its set-up in 2002.
  • India had earlier hosted the 5thIEF Ministerial in 1996 at Goa.
  • Apart from member countries, invitations have also been extended to 20 other countries where India has oil and gas engagements/interests.

Reference:             

https://www.ief.org/ief16-ministerial.aspx
http://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1527953