9 May 2014: Estonia has become the 29th member of the International Energy Agency (IEA). The country joined the Agency on 9 May 2014, and has taken a seat on the Governing Board, the IEA’s highest political decision-making authority.

IEA Executive Director Maria van der Hoeven welcomed the country, saying “Estonia, like the IEA and its member countries, prizes energy security, economic development and sustainability.” She noted progress made by the country in transforming its energy sector, adding that this process would continue and be reinforced through IEA membership.

Estonia joins the IEA after fulfilling its membership requirements, including the building of emergency oil stocks equal to at least 90 days of the net imports of the previous year. IEA country ministers endorsed Estonia’s membership at the IEA Ministerial Meeting in Paris in November 2014. [IEA Press Release on Estonia] [IISD RS Story on 2013 IEA Ministerial Meeting]