Korean IGU Presidency Activities
February 24-26, 2020
IGU President Speaks at IGRC 2020
From February 24 to 26, International Gas Research Conference 2020 was held in the city of Muscat, Oman. Despite the challenging situation due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, more than 100 participants joined the conference to share their research results. IGU President Joe M. Kang paid special thanks to the participants and the National Organizing Committee of Oman for organizing the even successfully.

IGU President Joe M. Kang at the recent International Gas Research Conference 2020 in Muscat, Oman
January 8, 2020
IGU President Speaks at UAE Energy Forum 2020
On January 8, 2020 IGU President Joe M. Kang spoke at the 10th Gulf Intelligence UAE Energy Forum 2020 and the Leadership Roundtable Breakfast. Updating the background for headline performances on the perspective of cost competitiveness, sustainability, and security of gas supply, he concluded investment in gas infrastructure will be critical to sustaining growth in access to gas while also preparing for future energy transitions.

IGU President Joe M. Kang speaking at the recent 10th Gulf Intelligence UAE Energy Forum 2020
December 2, 2019
IGU event at COP 25
On the first day of the UN Climate Change Conference COP 25, the International Gas Union hosted a high-level side event on the topic of Delivering Clean Transport. In recognition of the growing importance of natural gas in the form of CNG and LNG in fueling in-land vehicles and maritime fleets, the speakers highlighted that with the scale of the climate and social challenges at hand, natural gas fuelled fleets will be part of the solution.

IGU event at COP 25
November 27, 2019
IGU President and Chairman of IHS Markit meet to strengthen their partnership
IGU President Joe M. Kang visited the office of IHS Markit to meet its Vice Chairman, Daniel Yergin on November 27. The aim of the meeting, held in Washington DC, was to discuss the future relationship between the IGU and IHS Markit. The IGU President and Mr Yergin also signed a letter of co-operation to strengthen their partnership and in turn, the support of both WGC 2021 and CERA Week.
We are also delighted to confirm that IHS Markit will participate in the WGC 2021 program. Visit the program pages of our website for more information on the topics they will be discussing.

Daniel Yergin, Vice Chairman, IHS Markit and Joe Kang, President, IGU meet in Washington DC, USA
November 26, 2019
IGU President meets with World Bank
IGU President, Joe M. Kang, met Riccardo Puliti who is Global Director for Energy and Extractive Industries and Regional Director for Infrastructure (Africa) at the World Bank.
Joe delivered the IGU’s message on the need for continued financial investment in the global gas industry and its infrastructure. Specifically discussing the need to continue investment in underdeveloped and developing countries.
During the meeting the IGU President also extended an invitation to Mr Puliti to join us as one of our distinguished speakers at the 28th World Gas Conference. We are delighted to announce his acceptance and look forward to Mr Puliti joining Thursday’s Luncheon Address to discuss the role of financing infrastructure and the emergence of ‘Green Finance’. More details regarding this session will be added to the website shortly.

October 18, 2019
IGU President speaks at the 8th International Natural Gas Congress and Fair
IGU President, Mr Joe M. Kang, spoke at the 8th International Natural Gas Congress and Fair (INGAS) on October 18 in Istanbul, Turkey. Joining the Opening Protocol Speeches, Joe gave a speech on the current state of the global gas industry.
The annual event discusses the future of the energy industry.

IGU President speaking at INGAS 2019
October 3, 2019
IGU President at the St. Petersburg International Gas Forum
President Joe M. Kang delivered a speech on October 3 at the plenary session of the 10th St. Petersburg International Gas Forum (SPIGF). Focusing on the role of gas in energy transition, President Joe and the speakers discussed the Strategic Priorities of International Energy Cooperation.

IGU President on stage at the 10th St Petersburg International Gas Forum
September 27, 2019
Secretary General of IMO and IGU President meet in London
On 27 September a meeting took place between Mr Kitack Lim, Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the President of the IGU. The meeting was arranged to discuss the importance of the IGU’s work in advocating natural gas as a key energy source and the impact that the upcoming IMO regulations will have on the global gas industry.
In January 2020 the IMO will publish its latest regulations report detailing the requirement for the marine sector to reduce its emissions and switch to cleaner fuels. The IGU is committed to ensuring that natural gas plays a vital role in reducing carbon emissions and recognizes the huge opportunities in the transport sector that will arise from these regulations.

Mr Kitack Lim, Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) alongside the IGU President, Dr Joo-Myung Kang.
September, 2019
IGU President meets former UN Secretary General
IGU President, Dr Joo-Myung Kang and Mr Ban Ki Moon, Chairman of the National Council on Climate and Air Quality & Former UN Secretary General, met this month to discuss the important role that natural gas plays in working towards a sustainable energy future.

Mr Ban Ki Moon, Chairman of the National Council on Climate and Air Quality and Former UN Secretary General alongside Dr Joo-Myung Kang, President of the International Gas Union
September 10, 2019
IGU President Speaks at 24th World Energy Congress and 8th Asian Ministerial Energy Roundtable
IGU President Joe M. Kang joined a panel discussion at the 24th World Energy Congress (WEC) on September 10 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. President Kang made a presentation on the Role of Gas in the Global Energy Transition. On the same day, the IGU President delivered a speech on the Role of New Technologies for a More Competitive and Productive World Energy Mix at the 8th Ministerial Energy Roundtable (AMER8).

IGU President Joe M. Kang presenting at the 24th World Energy Congress and 8th Ministerial Energy Roundtable
June 23-25, 2019
IGU President speaks at 20th Asia Oil and Gas Conference
On June 23-25 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian leaders of the Asian gas industry gathered together to discuss the energy transition and the market, focusing on ‘Forging A New Energy Future’ at the 20th Asia Oil and Gas Conference (AOGC). The IGU President made a presentation on ‘Beyond Energy Trilemma: Natural Gas as the Vital Component of a Sustainable Energy Future’.

H.E. Dato’ Seri Mohamed Azmin Bin Ali the Minister for Economic Affairs of Malaysia and IGU President at the 20th AOGC
June 15-16, 2019
Natural Gas Day in Japan
IGU in collaboration with the Japan Gas Association (JGA) held the first IGU Natural Gas Day preceding the G20 Ministerial Meeting on Energy Transitions and Global Environment for Sustainable Growth on June 15-16 in Karuizawa, Japan.


IGU delivered IGU-JGA Communique to H.E. Hiroshige Seko, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan.
Along with the event, IGU signed a communique with the JGA promising continued efforts to fight climate change and clarify the role of natural gas in ensuring economically and environmentally sustainable energy future which was delivered to Mr. Hiroshige Seko, Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.
May 15-16, 2019
IGU President Speaks at 23rd International Uzbekistan Oil and Gas Conference 2019
On May 15, 2019 IGU President Joe M. Kang joined the plenary discussion at the 23rd International Uzbekistan Oil and Gas Conference (OGU) 2019. Starting with the recent developments of the global gas industry, Dr. Kang focused on regional gas demand while exploring opportunities for Uzbekistan’s gas industry.


April 23-25, 2019
Economía y Negocios Interview with IGU President: Chile’s potential to articulate a future natural gas export hub
During the IGU’s second Executive Committee under the Korean Presidency (Santiago, Chile), the IGU President engaged in activities to raise the voice of gas by meeting with the Minister of the Environment, H.E. Maria Carolina Schmidt Zaldívar, and took part in an interview with Economía y Negocios.
April 2, 2019
Xinhua Interview with IGU President: LNG industry sees exciting opportunity in transport application
The 19th International Conference & Exhibition on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG2019) opened in Shanghai on April 2. Joe M. Kang, president of International Gas Union (IGU) and major speaker of the conference said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua that natural gas is playing a vital role towards an economic and environmental sustainable energy future, and that the prospects of LNG applications such as in the transport sector will provide great opportunities for the industry.
Read the full interview on Xinhua’s website and watch the video interview here.

April 1-5, 2019
19th International Conference & Exhibition on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG2019), Shanghai
The IGU World LNG Report was presented in a special session at LNG2019 in Shanghai on April 3, 2019 - download the report here.

March 28, 2019
IGU Diplomatic Gas Forum in Korea
IGU Korean Presidency held the IGU Diplomatic Gas Forum for the first time in Seoul, Korea. Attendees included more than 15 Ambassadors and Chargé d’affaires stationed in Korea and and C-level industry leaders.
The title of the event was “The Vital Role of Natural Gas towards a Sustainable Energy Future” with a panel discussion focusing on the challenges and opportunities that natural gas offers such as in dealing with the urban air quality issue and the expanded role of natural gas in the transportation sector.

December 3-14, 2018
2018 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP24), Katowice
The International Gas Union participated in several key gas related side events at country pavilions inside the COP24 event.

October 4, 2018
Gas Matters Interview with IGU President
In this exclusive interview with Gas Matters, Joe Kang, the new president of the International Gas Union, explains why the talks matter to the entire energy industry. He also outlines the advocacy initiatives the IGU is working on to ensure policy-makers are aware of the vital contributions natural gas can make to a sustainable energy future and cleaner air.
August 24, 2018
Letter to the Editor, The Economist
Letter to the Editor of the Economist, from Professor Joo-Myung Kang, IGU President.
July 10, 2018
Natural Gas World Interview with IGU President
Natural Gas World interviewed IGU President, Mr. Joe Kang, at the close of the 2018 World Gas Conference in Washington DC.