Discussing Asia-Pacific’s Gas and LNG energy future

Demonstrating the International Gas Union’s (IGU) unwavering support to the LNG industry across Asia, Mr Andrea Stegher – the President of IGU – delivered the keynote address at the 2026 IndoPacific LNG Summit hosted earlier this week in Jakarta, Indonesia, by the Indonesian Gas Society.

Providing a critical and timely forum to convene global LNG value chain stakeholders to discuss the growing pressure to transition to low-carbon economies, the Summit aimed to address the complexity that the region’s governments are facing in ensuring an affordable, reliable and clean energy supply while accelerating economic recovery and growth.

It is increasingly clear that the global economies are more reliant than ever on natural gas and in his address, Mr Stegher highlighted several critical points not just for the Asia-Pacific region but for the world’s economies overall:

“Asia holds a fundamental role, particularly its Gas producing nations, where more can be done to accelerate a sustained use of this critical resource. IGU’s role, for almost a century now, has been very well defined and, at times, complex to hold on to: we speak truth to power, we demand to be heard, and we prove we should be listened to.

Let me be clear: Government policies – however well-intentioned - must not create further uncertainty and energy insecurity by deterring investments in Gas supply and its related infrastructures. Governments need to better support Gas developments in countries like Indonesia – if you allow me – and be more vocal, more committed and firmer about the positive role of such initiatives.

We see today that dogmatic considerations have been factually challenged by reality and by a clear need to further promote a supportive investment climate for Gas. Population growth, urbanisation, digitalisation, rising electricity demand and the continued pursuit of cleaner energy systems will require reliable and flexible energy solutions which LNG is uniquely positioned to support, fostering even further the resilience and flexibility of our industry.”