The Secretariat of the International Energy Forum is governed by an Executive Board comprising fifteen IEF countries plus the IEA and OPEC Secretariats. The Executive Board is the only decision-making body of the Secretariat with decisions taking place, preferably, by consensus, but if necessary by simple majority vote.

Following each IEF a new Executive Board is selected by a core group of Board members under the chairmanship of the host country of the next IEF Ministerial. The host country is joined in this selection panel by their co-hosting countries, and the host and co-hosting countries of the previous IEF. Saudi Arabia, as host country of the headquarters of the Forum’s permanent Secretariat, completes the composition of the core group alongside the Secretariats of the IEA and OPEC.

Selection of the remaining members bears in mind the objective of securing an overall balance between consuming and producing countries, developed and developing countries as well as geographical spread. Due consideration is also given to the respective contributions of the countries to the IEF and the Secretariat as well as rotational needs.

The Executive Board meets at least twice annually at senior officials’ level to discharge its duties which include inter alia approval of the theme and programme of the biennial IEF Ministerial and IEBF as well as the Programme of Work, Budget and statements of account of the Secretariat.

The Executive Board currently comprises:
 
Algeria, China, France, Germany, India, Iran, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Mexico (Chair), Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Kingdom, Venezuela, and the IEA and OPEC Secretariats.