Türkiye Highlights LPG for “Clean Cooking”

Minister Bayraktar, who attended the opening of Liquid Gas Week—organized by the World Liquid Gas Association in Istanbul—delivered a speech to representatives of the global LPG sector.

Missile Attack
Noting that the global energy landscape is facing unprecedented challenges and uncertainties, Minister Bayraktar said, “On Monday, I was in Riyadh for the World Petroleum Congress. Just a few hours before our plane landed, the airport came under a missile attack. I hope this does not become our new norm.”

The importance of LPG
Noting that LPG is sometimes overshadowed by its “big brothers”—oil and natural gas—in global energy debates, Minister Bayraktar said, “With its flexibility, portability, and accessibility, LPG offers an important alternative for millions of consumers, especially during periods of supply disruptions.”

We Are Second in Europe
Minister Bayraktar emphasized that Türkiye has one of the world’s most developed LPG markets, noting, “As of last year, we ranked second in Europe in total LPG consumption. We are also the world’s second-largest consumer of autogas, and we rank first in terms of the number of autogas stations and LPG-powered vehicles.”

We Take Pride in This
Noting that there are 10,000 autogas stations and 5.2 million LPG-powered vehicles in Türkiye, Minister Bayraktar said, “This accounts for approximately 30 percent of our registered vehicle fleet. We take pride in our Turkish LPG companies, many of which have successfully expanded internationally, bringing their experience and expertise to these new markets.”

Access to Clean Cooking
Minister Bayraktar noted that they view LPG as an important tool in solving global energy supply issues, pointing out that approximately two billion people worldwide still lack access to clean cooking facilities. “These people continue to rely on traditional fuels and cooking methods that cause serious health and environmental problems. This is where LPG can make a real difference. In communities where electricity and natural gas infrastructure is limited, LPG offers a practical and cleaner alternative to traditional cooking fuels.”

To Be Added to the COP31 Agenda
Minister Bayraktar announced that they plan to bring the issue of clean cooking to the global agenda at COP31, to be held next month in Antalya, stating, “We believe that climate action must go hand in hand with access to energy and economic development.”

The Sector’s Three Priorities
He outlined the three priorities of the global LPG industry: “First, diversifying sources, ensuring reliable infrastructure, and strengthening the supply chain. Second, ensuring safe and affordable access to LPG for communities lacking clean cooking options and modern energy infrastructure. Third, increasing efficiency, strengthening safety standards, and investing in innovation and sustainability.” Minister Bayraktar announced that Türkiye is ready to collaborate in these three areas.

An Invitation to Antalya
Minister Bayraktar, referring to COP31 to be held in Antalya, said, “We look forward to welcoming the international community and advancing climate action through practical, inclusive, and realistic solutions. I invite all of you to Antalya to contribute to this global effort.”