Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Long worked online with IEA Director Fatih Birol

Also attending the working session, on the side of the Ministry of Industry and Trade delegation were Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Long and representatives of the Electricity Authority; the Department of Innovation, Green Transformation and Industrial Promotion. On the side of the IEA were Mr. Fatih Birol and representatives of energy experts in charge of the Asia and ASEAN regions.

The IEA is the world's leading energy agency, supporting partner countries to achieve their energy security goals and promote clean, sustainable energy transitions.

During the meeting, Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Long was pleased to meet again with IEA Director Fatih Birol since the last online meeting took place in July 2025. Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Long said that in recent times, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the IEA have had many cooperative activities, notably the two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the energy sector on the occasion of the working visit of Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien to France on June 4, 2025.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Long said that the Vietnamese Government is currently developing many important mechanisms and policies in the energy sector related to the development of nuclear power, LNG thermal power and renewable energy... to promote the development of the energy sector to ensure electricity supply for Vietnam's high economic growth scenarios in the following years. Accordingly, the Ministry of Industry and Trade acknowledges and appreciates the role of the IEA in supporting experts, developing relevant studies, documents and reports and forecasting the development trends of the electricity sector in Vietnam in line with regional and international trends.

IEA Director Fatih Birol also shared the same view with the Deputy Minister in recognizing the role of nuclear power, LNG thermal power and renewable energy in ensuring energy security and energy transition in Vietnam. Regarding renewable energy, Fatih Birol emphasized the need to invest in and upgrade grid connection for renewable energy projects to the grid system to ensure the ability to release capacity for renewable energy projects, especially solar power projects.

Mr. Fatih Birol was also pleased to announce the successful organization of the Southeast Asia Energy Efficiency Policy Training Course held in Hanoi from December 1 to 4, 2025, attracting more than 170 domestic and international delegates.

Acknowledging the positive steps taken by Vietnam, IEA Director Fatih Birol affirmed his readiness to accompany and support Vietnam in the process of developing new energy sectors. IEA Director Fatih Birol also informed about the progress and initial results of the proposal for Vietnam to become an IEA associate country.

Concluding the meeting, Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Long welcomed and acknowledged the efforts of the IEA in promoting and making Vietnam an associate country of the IEA; the Vietnamese side also requested the IEA to provide signed documents, information on the rights and obligations of member countries for Vietnam to consider, review and exchange with relevant agencies.

Regarding the internal process for Vietnam to become an associate country of the IEA, Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Long informed that the Ministry of Industry and Trade has reported to the Prime Minister on the roadmap and progress of the work. The Government leaders agreed to assign the Ministry of Industry and Trade to preside over and coordinate with relevant ministries and agencies to continue studying the possibility of becoming an associate country of the IEA in accordance with the correct order, procedures and regulations. The Ministry of Industry and Trade will promptly review and complete the internal process, and report to the competent authority on the proposal to become an associate country of the IEA as soon as possible.

Previously, most recently in July 2025, Deputy Minister Nguyen Hong Long also had a meeting and worked with IEA Director Fatih Birol.

At the meeting, the two sides discussed contents related to the plan to implement cooperation activities within the framework of the MOU signed between the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the IEA and the roadmap for Vietnam to become an Association country of the IEA.

Currently, IEA has 13 affiliated countries. In the Southeast Asia (ASEAN) region, Indonesia and Singapore are affiliated countries of IEA.

Source: Electricity Authority; Industry and Trade Newspaper

Tags: Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Long, International Energy Agency

Source: https://moit.gov.vn/tin-tuc/thu-truong-nguyen-hoang-long-lam-viec-truc-tuyen-voi-giam-doc-iea-fatih-birol.html