Fatih Birol

Dr. Fatih Birol has served as Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA) since September 2015. Under his leadership, the IEA has moved to the forefront of global efforts to reach international climate goals, safeguard energy security, and manage the social and economic impacts of clean energy transitions.

Birol has spent over 20 years at the IEA, rising through its ranks to his current position. Prior, Birol worked at the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in Vienna. He is the founder and chair of the IEA Energy Business Council, one of the world’s most active industry advisory groups in energy, and chairman of the World Economic Forum (Davos) Energy Advisory Board. A frequent contributor to print and electronic media, he delivers numerous speeches each year at major international summits and conferences.

Birol has been named to TIME's annual list of the world's most influential people, and by Forbes as one of the most influential people in the world of energy. He is the recipient of numerous state decorations, including the French Legion of Honour, the Japanese Emperor’s Order of the Rising Sun, and the Order of the Polar Star from the King of Sweden.

He earned a BSc degree in power engineering from the Technical University of Istanbul and received an MSc and Ph.D. in energy economics from the Technical University of Vienna. Birol was awarded a Doctorate of Science honoris causa from Imperial College London in 2013. He was also made an honorary life member of Galatasaray Football Club.