IEA And Canada To Co-Host 11th Global Conference On Energy Efficiency In Montréal — First Time In North America

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has announced that its Executive Director, Fatih Birol, and Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Tim Hodgson, will co-host the 11th Annual IEA Global Conference on Energy Efficiency. The upcoming event, to be held in Montréal, marks the first time this prestigious international conference will take place in North America. The IEA Global Conference on Energy Efficiency serves as the leading global platform for advancing discussions and action on energy efficiency. It brings together ministers, CEOs, and senior leaders from across governments, finance, and industry to identify practical strategies that can accelerate progress in this critical area.

Energy efficiency has emerged as a key policy priority for governments worldwide, seen as essential for addressing today’s urgent energy challenges — including ensuring energy security, maintaining affordability, and reducing carbon emissions. However, according to the IEA, despite growing ambition, the pace of global progress on energy efficiency has slowed compared to the last decade. This deceleration has led to higher energy waste, increased costs, and rising emissions, underlining the urgent need for renewed international collaboration and implementation.

IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol emphasized the importance of turning ambition into tangible action. “We know that many governments around the world are implementing policies to boost energy efficiency, but progress is not yet fast enough,” he said. “Providing policymakers with real-world solutions is the goal of the IEA’s Global Conference on Energy Efficiency, and I am delighted that Canada will host the 11th edition. The Canadian government is showing real ambition on energy efficiency, and I thank Minister Hodgson for his leadership.”

Minister Tim Hodgson highlighted Canada’s strong commitment to clean energy and sustainable development, saying, “I’m proud to announce that Canada will co-host the International Energy Agency’s 11th Annual Global Conference on Energy Efficiency. Energy efficiency is a cornerstone of Canada’s ambitious clean energy agenda. I look forward to welcoming leaders from across the globe for these important discussions, which are taking place in North America for the first time.”

The Montréal event follows the success of the 10th Annual Global Conference on Energy Efficiency held in Brussels earlier this year, where representatives from 49 governments agreed to collaborate on accelerating global progress in energy efficiency. The joint outcome statement from that conference outlined key areas of action aimed at doubling the rate of improvement this decade, with a focus on the sectors and initiatives that would deliver the most significant impact. Building on this momentum, the upcoming conference in Montréal aims to further strengthen public-private collaboration on energy efficiency. The IEA and the Canadian government have partnered with Hydro-Québec, a recognized leader in sustainable energy, to help foster greater industry engagement at the event.

Claudine Bouchard, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hydro-Québec, expressed pride in Québec’s leadership role, stating, “Renewable energy is a precious resource for Québec, and energy efficiency is at the heart of our strategies. Hosting the 11th Global Conference on Energy Efficiency in Montréal is a strong recognition of our leadership in this field. This event will be an opportunity to showcase Québec’s expertise while drawing inspiration from the best international practices. We look forward to contributing to the discussions and mobilizing key stakeholders in Québec to give momentum towards responsible and innovative energy consumption.”

Through this event, the IEA aims to reinforce the global commitment to making energy efficiency the “first fuel” of the clean energy transition — a practical, cost-effective, and scalable solution that supports energy security, climate goals, and sustainable growth for all.