Greetings from Pål Rasmussen, Secretary General of IGU Norway has been the
and has not at any time tried to influence
proud host of the IGU
internal processes in IGU.
Secretariat and home
A commemorative brochure has been pre
to the Union’s head
pared for the Council meeting in Amsterdam
quarters for nine
that gives an overview of developments, achieve
years during which
ments and initiatives that have been imple
we have experienced
mented during the Norwegian term, which has
major changes and
covered four Presidencies. I am proud to hand
corresponding chal
over to Spain in two weeks’ time and let me use
lenges in the business
this opportunity to thank those who have served
environment of the
alongside us during the Norwegian term:
gas industry. IGU has
◆ Council and Executive Committee members;
had to respond to
◆ The four Presidents and their teams;
these challenges to
◆ Members of the Coordination Committee
ensure its relevance to members and fulfil its role as the global voice of gas. There is still a lot of work to be done, but I am sure that the future development of the Union will be in good hands when Spain becomes the host of the Secretariat on November 1. Numerous initiatives have started and been implemented, and many of these
and technical committees; ◆ The Regional Coordinators and members of the Wise Persons Group; ◆ All secondees who have served and are serving in Norway and the companies supporting them; ◆ All colleagues who have served and are currently serving in Norway; ◆ And last but not least all our members. The Union is here to support the develop
now need to be taken from a strategic level to
ment of global gas markets and the global gas
a tactical one. I wish Luis Bertrán Rafecas and
industry, through internal and external activi
his team all the best as they prepare to take
ties. The battle of preferred energy sources is
over for the next six years.
taking place now, and IGU needs to be present
The Norwegian term as host of the IGU
in the relevant arenas where the decisions for
Secretariat would not have been possible
the energy future are being made. I am con
without the strong support of Statoil, and I
vinced that natural gas is not a bridging or
would like all members to be aware of this.
transition fuel, but an integral part of a long-
Statoil has been the largest contributor to IGU
term sustainable energy mix. I wish IGU every
in the Union’s history, through the provision of
success in its future development.
office facilities, personnel and back office
All the best from Norway,
services over a period of nine years. But also very important in my view, Statoil has kept a
Pål Rasmussen
distance to ensure its own and IGU’s integrity,
Secretary General of IGU
G r e e t i n g s f r o m P å l R a s m u s s e n , S e c r e t a r y G e n e r a l o f I G U 135
