Historic Declaration Unites Nations for Global Hydrogen Trade

The 14th Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM14) Meeting witnessed a groundbreaking joint declaration, uniting governments of 14 countries and the European Union under the CEM’s banner. Their collective goal is to fast-track international hydrogen trade and address barriers in the burgeoning hydrogen market.

With the launch of the International Hydrogen Trade Forum (IHTF), these nations seek to promote collaboration, foster dialogue, and pave the way for a greener, more sustainable global energy landscape.

With the global pursuit of cleaner energy solutions, hydrogen has emerged as a key contender in the race to decarbonize industries and economies. Recognizing the immense potential of hydrogen as a sustainable fuel source, 14 countries – Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Germany, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, The Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay – along with the European Union, joined forces during the CEM14 Meeting to accelerate international hydrogen trade.

The highlight of the CEM14 Meeting was the establishment of the International Hydrogen Trade Forum (IHTF). This groundbreaking platform aims to bring together hydrogen-importing and exporting nations to foster collaboration, unlock trade corridors, and promote dialogue on the nascent international hydrogen market. The IHTF is open to both CEM and non-CEM members, fostering inclusivity and cooperation across nations.

The Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates have been appointed as the inaugural co-chairs of the IHTF, with the first meeting scheduled for COP28. H.E. Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, United Arab Emirates, expressed enthusiasm for co-chairing the IHTF, emphasizing the mission’s alignment with the UAE’s National Hydrogen Strategy and COP28 Presidency priorities. The forum aims to unlock cross-border hydrogen trade corridors and drive tangible progress from announcements to on-the-ground implementation.

Mr. Rob Jetten, Minister of Climate and Energy Policy from the Netherlands, highlighted the crucial role of effective cooperation between governments and companies to operationalize trade corridors successfully. He underscored the IHTF’s role as a vital platform for dialogue between future hydrogen exporting and importing nations, providing opportunities for collaboration and expansion.

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) also expressed its commitment to the IHTF, seeing it as a fitting platform to bridge gaps between CEM and non-CEM countries. UNIDO’s Global Program for Hydrogen Industry aligns seamlessly with the objectives of the IHTF, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation to drive the hydrogen sector forward.

Yoshinori Kanehana, Hydrogen Council Co-Chairs, Chairman of the Board, Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., and Sanjiv Lamba, CEO, Linde, applauded the establishment of the IHTF, recognizing it as a platform to facilitate public-private dialogue. The Hydrogen Council, a leading industry body, looks forward to collaborating with the IHTF to address key challenges and jointly create solutions for unlocking hydrogen trade corridors.

The launch of the International Hydrogen Trade Forum (IHTF) marks a momentous step towards a sustainable, hydrogen-driven future. By fostering international cooperation, unlocking trade corridors, and promoting dialogue, these nations aim to accelerate the global transition to hydrogen as a clean, reliable, and climate-friendly energy source. The IHTF’s establishment paves the way for an interconnected global hydrogen market, driving us closer to a greener, more sustainable world.