Fatih Birol
Executive Director, International Energy Agency (IEA)
Dr. Fatih Birol is the Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), a position he has held since 2015. Under his visionary leadership, the IEA has undergone its first major modernisation since its founding in 1974 – expanding its membership to include key emerging economies, broadening its energy security mandate, and becoming a global hub for clean energy and energy efficiency.Prior to his appointment, Dr. Birol spent over two decades at the IEA, most notably as Chief Economist, where he led the World Energy Outlook – widely regarded as the world’s most authoritative source on global energy trends. He also founded and chairs the IEA Energy Business Council, a vital forum for dialogue between industry and policymakers.A globally recognised voice in energy and climate policy, Dr. Birol chairs the World Economic Forum’s Energy Advisory Board and served on the UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on Sustainable Energy for All. He is frequently cited as one of the most influential figures in global energy by Forbes and Financial Times, and has received numerous high-level national and international honours, including decorations from the governments of Japan, Germany, Austria, Sweden, France, and Italy.He holds a BSc in power engineering from the Technical University of Istanbul and a PhD in energy economics from the Technical University of Vienna. In 2013, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from Imperial College London.