PANAJI, GOA  - The International Hydrogen Trade Forum (IHTF) has been established by co-leads, the Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates, during the 14th Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) meeting. The Forum brings together hydrogen importing and exporting countries to accelerate international hydrogen trade, promote collaboration and address barriers in the emerging hydrogen market. 

The IHTF members at the time of the launch include Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States, Uruguay and the European Commission on behalf of the European Union.

The founding members of the IHTF called on the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to take on the role of coordinator. In this capacity, UNIDO will facilitate cooperation among the government members and industrial leaders, and bring in the perspective and considerations of developing countries and transition economies.

Through its Global Programme for Hydrogen in Industry, UNIDO influences and guides the development of hydrogen policies, standards, skills, financing instruments, innovation and tangible green hydrogen industrial cluster projects to unlock the socio-economic and environmental value of the international hydrogen economy and trade. UNIDO is heavily engaged in a just hydrogen transition whereby developing countries and local communities get a fair share of the economic and developmental benefits of the hydrogen industry and where knowledge and resources are shared.

The Director General of UNIDO, Gerd Müller welcomed the announcement , saying, “UNIDO’s commitment to the International Hydrogen Trade Forum aligns well with the objectives of its Global Programme for Hydrogen in Industry. We see a fitting role for UNIDO to help bridge the gap between countries within the CEM community and those who are not part of the CEM yet.”

The first ministerial meeting of the IHTF will convene at the COP28 in Dubai.

For more information,  please contact us:  hydrogen@unido.org  

Stay updated with our hydrogen-related news and events on Twitter and LinkedIn