The Office of International Affairs (IA) works with the larger U.S. interagency foreign policy team to collaborate with governments worldwide to design and accelerate global clean energy transitions that address the climate crisis, enhance and ensure energy security, and create good paying jobs and prosperity for the American people and communities everywhere.

The Office leads over two dozen bilateral and regional energy dialogues, partnerships, councils and other forums to help countries achieve their energy security, energy access, and climate goals. Through high-level diplomacy and mobilization of world class technical expertise – including through our 17 national labs - we are helping to solve some of the world’s most complex energy challenges, especially in emerging economies, at a time when geopolitical conflicts are stressing energy markets.

Engagement with these parties is also essential for expanding markets for U.S. world class energy goods and services developed in part through DOE’s program offices.  Energy cooperation advances our strategic and security priorities while accelerating decarbonization, which reduces the damage to people and the planet caused by climate change. Engagement often also focuses on enhancing advanced energy research which can increase competitiveness among like-minded parties against geostrategic adversaries.

Throughout all its work, the Office seeks to leverage American innovation and collaboration with partners to create a vibrant global innovation ecosystem and enhance global energy security through diversification, resilience, and access.   

As the Department’s lead on international energy issues, the Office of International Affairs is responsible for directing diplomatic outreach, leading multilateral energy negotiations -- including in ministerial-level energy tracks in the G7, G20, APEC where the Secretary of Energy represents the U.S  --  and developing energy policies to advance the administration’s global climate, economic, and security goals through cooperative platforms like the International Energy Agency, the Clean Energy Ministerial, and Mission Innovation.

The Office has primary responsibility for analysis, risk assessment, and formation of response measures with other parts of the U.S. government to address international energy conflicts and opportunities that have a direct impact on research, development, utilization, supply, and conservation of energy affecting the United States.   

The Office of International Affairs is made up of eleven teams that cover specific regions of the world, market development, multilateral engagement, and national, economic, and technology security.