Combining delivery and Innovation - the essential role of Gas for a solid and credible future

Delivering the keynote address at The Future of Gas and Hydrogen 3.0 international conference held in Ljubljana, May 12, 2026, Mr Andrea Stegher – the President of the International Gas Union (IGU) – highlighted in his speech the unique position of Gas, in all its forms, to meet the delivery and innovation prerequisites of a solid and sustainable energy future.

“Innovation, supported by strong technical and scientific capabilities, is still central to our industry. Technically robust and future-proof energy innovations are happening every day, both when considering the “traditional” natural gas systems and the new frontiers of green and low-emission solutions.

Full-scale digitalisation, AI to improve efficiency, a variety of technologies to reduce emissions and many others, are today’s features of our industry. And innovation is also happening with gaseous molecules: biomethane, hydrogen, e-methane and CO2 capture, storage and utilisation”, Mr Stegher emphasised.  

IGU’s President has also made an unequivocal call for further and continuous investments in the industry: “we need to continue developing options while recognising that new solutions will require time and investments. And these incoming options will not substitute, but integrate, the role of natural gas in the foreseeable future: with different pathways, in different regions and countries.”