5th LNG Producer-Consumer Conference

On 24 November, 2016, the 5th annual LNG Producer-Consumer Conference 2016 was held in Tokyo, Japan. The conference was hosted by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Asia Pacific Energy Research Centre (APERC). Ministers and officials representing major countries producing and consuming liquefied natural gas (LNG) joined industry leaders from Japan and abroad to exchange views on the latest trends in the global LNG market, including challenges facing the creation of a stable, competitive and flexible global LNG market. Held every year since 2012, the conference provides a platform to facilitate sharing of long-term LNG demand and supply outlooks, and to develop cooperation between producing and consuming countries with a common interest in enabling a stable framework to encourage development of a competitive, transparent, sustainable and flexible market for LNG.

This year the conference was opened by HE Hiroshige Seko, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan. IEF Secretary General Dr Sun Xiansheng delivered a keynote speech in the afternoon session "Producer-Consumer Cooperation" which also featured Ambassador Urban Rusnak, Secretary General of the Energy Charter, and Mr Francesco Fini of the European Union. This session highlighted the diversity of views held by different players in the market and the degree to which uncertainty presents challenges for both producers and consumers.

Dr Sun took the opportunity to offer the IEF's global perspective to the meeting drawing on Ministerial discussions during the recent IEF15 Ministerial (26-28 September, Algiers). IEF Secretary General, Dr Sun’s presentation "Producer - Consumer Cooperation Towards more liquid, transparent and competitive Asian gas markets" is available for download below.

Other presentations from the event will be made available online at the event’s official site.