Cooperation between the Presidency and the Secretariat
T
he Presidency and the Secretariat are normally
the fortnightly meetings. As activities expanded, the
located far apart geographically and often in
coordination was extended to include regular event
different time zones. Moreover, due to different
meetings and advocacy meetings.
traditions and cultural backgrounds, their working
During the Spanish term we have had the
practices may vary. A close relationship and
pleasure of working with two Presidents and have
alignment between the two about the vision and
seen the election of two future Presidents. We have
direction of IGU are essential for the Union’s
asked the US and Korean Presidents to reflect on
successful management and development.
the importance of IGU, the contributions of the
Since the beginning of the Spanish term, the
host country and cooperation with the Secretariat
Presidency and the Secretariat have shared the vision
and the accomplishments of their Presidency. Here
of working as a single, not a split leadership team.
are their comments.
During the USA Presidency, fortnightly video conferences were held using iPerson. Under the
USA Presidency 2015-2018
Korean Presidency the conferences migrated to
The USA Presidency, which led IGU from 2015 to
Zoom and Microsoft Teams.
2018, developed its Triennial Work Programme
Close collaboration was a must and proved to
around the theme “Fuelling the Future”. The USA’s
be critical in the development of IGU’s advocacy
David C. Carroll, now Immediate Past President of
work as the Global Voice of Gas and of the Building
IGU, offered the following perspectives.
for the Future (BFTF) project. Both projects required
“We’re grateful to the Spanish Secretariat team,
additional meetings and coordination with the
under strong leadership by Secretary General Luis
Regional Coordinators and with a new group, the
Bertrán Rafecas, for its enthusiastic embrace of IGU’s
Transition Team as part of BFTF.
USA Presidency. After a smooth transition from IGU’s
With the transition from the USA to the Korean
previous base in Oslo, Norway the Barcelona-based
Presidency in 2018, the strong coordination between
Secretariat assumed its role in November 2016. This
the Presidency and Secretariat teams continued in
transition occurred after more than a year of close
right
David C. Carroll, IGU President 2015-2018. centre right
Menelaos (Mel) Ydreos, Coordination Committee Chair 2015-2018. fa r r i g h t
Rod Rinholm, Acting Coordination Committee Chair 2016-2018.
20
C ooperation
between
the
P residenc y
and
the
S ecretariat
