Greetings from Pål Rasmussen, Secretary General of IGU

Greetings from Pål Rasmussen, Secretary General of IGU

Norway has been the proud host of the IGU Secretariat and home to the Union’s headquarters for nine years during which we have experienced major changes and corresponding challenges in the business environment of the gas industry. IGU has had to respond to these challenges to 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 now need to be taken from a strategic level to a tactical one. I wish Luis Bertrán Rafecas and his team all the best as they prepare to take over for the next six years.

The Norwegian term as host of the IGU Secretariat would not have been possible without the strong support of Statoil, and I would like all members to be aware of this. Statoil has been the largest contributor to IGU in the Union’s history, through the provision of office facilities, personnel and back office services over a period of nine years. But also very important in my view, Statoil has kept a distance to ensure its own and IGU’s integrity,

and has not at any time tried to influence internal processes in IGU.

A commemorative brochure has been prepared for the Council meeting in Amsterdam that gives an overview of developments, achievements and initiatives that have been implemented during the Norwegian term, which has covered four Presidencies. I am proud to hand over to Spain in two weeks’ time and let me use this opportunity to thank those who have served alongside us during the Norwegian term: ◆ Council and Executive Committee members; ◆ The four Presidents and their teams; ◆ Members of the Coordination Committee 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 development of global gas markets and the global gas industry, through internal and external activities. The battle of preferred energy sources is taking place now, and IGU needs to be present in the relevant arenas where the decisions for the energy future are being made. I am convinced that natural gas is not a bridging or transition fuel, but an integral part of a longterm sustainable energy mix. I wish IGU every success in its future development.

All the best from Norway,

Pål Rasmussen Secretary General of IGU