Fatih Birol

Fatih Birol (born 22 March 1958) is a Turkish economist and energy expert, who has served as the executive director of the Paris-based International Energy Agency (IEA) since 1 September 2015. During his time in charge of the IEA he has coordinated three emergency oil stock releases and taken a series of steps to modernise the Paris-based international organisation, including strengthening ties with emerging economies; broadening the Agency's energy security mandate to include electricity, natural gas, renewables and critical minerals; and stepping up work on the clean energy transition and international efforts to reach net zero emissions. Birol was named on the Time 100 list of the world's most influential people in 2021 and again in 2026, has been named by Forbes magazine among the most influential people on the world's energy scene and recognised by the Financial Times in 2017 as Energy Personality of the Year. Birol is the chairman of the World Economic Forum (Davos) Energy Advisory Board. He is a frequent contributor to print and electronic media and delivers numerous speeches each year at major international summits and conferences. Here is part of Time's tribute to Fatih Birol: "During the war in Iran, he has helped coordinate a collective release of strategic oil reserves to alleviate a moment of crisis. He has also expanded the IEA’s reach, deepening engagement with emerging economies. What sets Fatih apart is not only his commitment to facts and data, but his ability to anticipate new challenges while emphasizing the importance of abundant energy for development in the Global South and the need to address energy’s role in climate change. Energy sits at the intersection of prosperity, security, and sustainability. Navigating these competing demands requires trusted voices, leadership, and the ability to forge cooperation amid geopolitical tensions."