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IEA urges members to release more diesel amid tightening global markets – EnviroNews
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The International Energy Agency (IEA) has urged its member countries to consider releasing additional diesel supplies to address tightening global markets, warning that current conditions require immediate attention and coordinated international action.
IEA Executive Director, Fatih Birol, made the call in a letter to member governments ahead of the agency’s Governing Board meeting scheduled for October 15, 2026.
In the statement, Birol encouraged countries that have yet to fulfil their commitments under the March 2026 Collective Action to accelerate the release of their remaining pledged volumes, with priority given to diesel.
He also urged member countries that have completed their earlier commitments to assess whether additional diesel releases were necessary to ease pressure on global markets.
According to the IEA chief, countries considering further releases should specify the volumes involved, the timing and how the additional supplies would supplement their previous commitments.
The proposed measures are intended to build on the collective action launched in March, which the agency said remains underway and provides a framework for further short-term interventions to address the evolving market situation.
Birol noted that some member countries had already released greater volumes than they initially pledged in March, demonstrating their efforts to support market stability.
The Executive Director said the current situation called for continued cooperation among IEA members to safeguard energy security and promote economic stability.
The appeal comes amid renewed attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, including what the statement described as tragic attacks on the international airport in Riyadh.
The IEA said these developments formed part of the broader context requiring close attention to global diesel market conditions and a coordinated response from member countries.
Birol expressed confidence that the forthcoming Governing Board meeting would provide an opportunity to review progress made by members in delivering their commitments and consider further measures where necessary.
“As we did in March, I believe we can once again demonstrate the IEA’s capacity to act together in support of energy security and economic stability,” he said.
The October 15 meeting is expected to provide a platform for member governments to assess the effectiveness of ongoing supply measures and determine whether additional releases would be appropriate in response to tightening diesel markets.
The IEA’s latest appeal underscores the importance of international coordination in responding to fuel-market pressures, particularly as disruptions to energy infrastructure and supply conditions raise concerns about the availability of essential petroleum products.
The agency is encouraging members to build on existing commitments while considering additional steps to help maintain adequate diesel supplies and support broader economic stability.
