The combination of strategic presentations, industry perspectives and interactive debate throughout the day encouraged a frank exchange of ideas and highlighted the value of bringing together stakeholders from different regions and markets. Delegates emphasized the importance of maintaining regular dialogue as the pace of policy and market developments continues to accelerate. Several noted this was the first time such a broad cross-section of governments, multilateral institutions and industry had come together specifically to examine LPG supply resilience and called for the dialogue to become a recurring fixture on the international energy calendar.

Discussions focused on the critical importance of strategic LPG storage and reserve mechanisms, the protection of critical infrastructure, supply diversification and strengthening national energy resilience, particularly for developing economies and import-dependent markets in Africa. Speakers explored practical measures such as expanding strategic and commercial storage capacity; diversifying import routes and supplier bases; safeguarding ports, terminals and distribution networks from disruption; and building stronger regional cooperation so countries can support one another during periods of market stress.

Participants recognized the vital role LPG plays in supporting energy security as the primary cooking fuel for 3.4 billion people across developing economies, and the scale of what remains at stake: Continued reliance on solid fuels and open fires for cooking is linked to hundreds of thousands of premature deaths every year, disproportionately affecting women and children. They also focused on the importance of closer collaboration between governments and industry to improve the resilience of global supply chains and reduce the risks posed by future disruptions.

The discussions informed ongoing international efforts to strengthen energy resilience, including through a Clean Cooking Security Programme, hosted by the IEA, to identify the policies, investments and partnerships needed to strengthen the resilience of global LPG supply chains. Several governments and private sector representatives expressed their intention to join the task force, with a high-level virtual session held on July 9 to review progress and announce new financial and policy commitments ahead of the second Summit on Clean Cooking in Africa, held in Nairobi, Kenya.

The event reinforced the importance of the industry not only working closely together but also working closely with key stakeholders such as the IEA. LPG indeed has an essential and unique role, and while supply must be reliable, we can demonstrate resilience on many levels, including flexibility in distribution, strong local infrastructure and enhanced storage. In practice, this means continued investment in bottling and distribution infrastructure, diversified shipping and supply arrangements, and closer coordination between the public and private sectors so that disruption in one market can be absorbed without leaving vulnerable communities without fuel. LPG is acknowledged as a practical solution capable of delivering immediate emissions reductions while supporting longer-term energy transition objectives, offering a rare combination of energy security, affordability and lower-carbon performance compared with the solid fuels it so often replaces.

This event reinforced the WLGA’s role as a trusted global voice for the liquid gas industry. By uniting senior decision-makers and facilitating evidence-based discussion, the WLGA continues to demonstrate leadership in promoting the industry’s contribution to a secure, resilient and sustainable energy future. It also reflects the association’s broader mission of connecting national and regional LPG associations, producers, distributors and equipment manufacturers around the world and of ensuring that industry expertise is heard directly by the policymakers and institutions shaping the future of the global energy system.