7th IEA-IEF-OPEC Symposium on Gas and Coal Market Outlooks
08 October 2025, Paris, France
Background
The 7th Joint IEA-IEF-OPEC Symposium on Gas and Coal Market Outlooks takes place at a time of heightened market and policy uncertainty. Population growth and urbanization, especially in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, are key structural drivers of rising energy demand. These trends are compounded by the intensifying energy needs of modernising economies and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, which are increasing electricity consumption globally. At the same time, holistically addressing the 'energy trilemma' by ensuring affordable, secure, and sustainable modern energy for all consumers remains a critical global priority. Meeting the world's growing need for secure energy supplies is paramount. Therefore, understanding the roles of natural gas and coal in the evolving energy mix, particularly in the electricity system, is key for policy makers, industry leaders and other stakeholders.
This year's agenda is structured in three sessions: (1) Gas market outlook, (2) Coal market outlook, and (3) Investment outlook for coal, gas, and carbon management. Each session aims to foster a data-driven, balanced dialogue on how best to navigate near-term volatility and long-term transition needs in the context of global energy security.
Session 1 will examine the outlook for gas and LNG, focusing on new projects and the impact of LNG on gas market flexibility. Session 2 will explore the outlook for coal markets, with an emphasis on Asia, which has emerged in recent years as the centre of gravity for coal production, consumption and trade. Session 3 will address the outlook for investment across the gas and coal supply chains, as well as the implications of a changing power generation mix on gas and coal demand. Carbon management strategies, including carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), will also be discussed.
The Joint IEA-IEF-OPEC Symposium on Gas and Coal Market Outlooks is part of the trilateral work programme established by the three organizations and endorsed by energy ministers at the 12th International Energy Forum in Cancún, Mexico, in March 2010. Since then, the joint IEA-IEF-OPEC meetings, also covering energy market outlooks and physical and financial energy market interactions, have developed into unique, high-level events that bring together a diverse set of producers, consumers, governments, and other stakeholders for an inclusive dialogue on evolving energy policy and market trends.
Discussion Questions
Session 1: Gas market outlook
- How is the rapid expansion of LNG infrastructure and trade reshaping global gas market dynamics—particularly in terms of supply security, price formation, and regional interconnectivity?
- What role will flexible LNG contracting and spot market liquidity play in mitigating short-term supply and demand imbalances? How will gas market volatility affect long-term decarbonization pathways, especially coal-to-gas switching in emerging economies?
- In light of recent geopolitical and market developments, are we seeing a new geography of LNG investment, and how can governments and industry align policies to support infrastructure, financing, and carbon mitigation along the LNG value chain?
Session 2: Coal market outlook
- What are the structural and policy drivers behind Asia's continued reliance on coal, and how are energy security priorities and industrial development goals shaping national energy strategies?
- To what extent are technological innovations—such as high-efficiency, low-emissions (HELE) plants and carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS)—alongside more rigorous international climate financing and clean technology standards influencing the future of coal use and trade in Asia?
- How might shifts in global trade flows—driven by decarbonization in OECD countries and growing demand in South and Southeast Asia—affect the stability and competitiveness of coal-exporting and coal-importing economies? What will be the implications of evolving carbon border adjustment mechanisms?
Session 3: Investment outlook for coal, gas and carbon management
- What are the most significant barriers to new investment in gas and coal infrastructure across both mature and emerging economies, and how can regulatory clarity, innovative financing tools, and public-private cooperation help overcome them?
- How is the evolving electricity mix—driven by renewables, the resurgence of nuclear, grid integration, and economy-wide electrification—shaping the medium- to long-term demand for gas and coal, particularly in regions with accelerating power needs?
- What practical strategies can accelerate deployment of carbon management solutions such as CCUS across gas and coal value chains, and what role should governments, multilateral organisations, and international financing institutions play in enabling scalable and commercially viable business models?
Key Documents
Previous Symposia
-
7th IEA-IEF-OPEC Symposium on Gas and Coal Market Outlooks
08 October 2025, Paris, France -
6th IEA-IEF-OPEC Symposium on Gas and Coal Market Outlooks
11 May 2023, Paris, France -
5th IEA-IEF-OPEC Symposium on Gas and Coal Market Outlooks
28 April 2021, Virtual Event -
4th IEA-IEF-OPEC Symposium on Gas and Coal Market Outlooks
06 November 2018, Paris, France -
3rd IEA-IEF-OPEC Symposium on Gas and Coal Market Outlooks
14 December 2016, Paris, France -
2nd IEA-IEF-OPEC Symposium on Gas and Coal Market Outlooks
30 October 2014, Paris, France -
Dialogue Insights - First IEA-IEF-OPEC Symposium on gas and coal market outlooks
17 October 2012, Paris, France -
IEA-IEF-OPEC Gas and Coal Market Outlook Symposium
04 October 2012, Paris, France