From One Chapter to the Next: A Celebration of Our Advocacy Goal Chair’s Leadership
During the recent Liquid Gas Week held in Rio de Janeiro, Ms. Esther Busscher of SHV Energy formally concluded her distinguished tenure as Chair of the Advocacy Goal (ADV) within the WLGA. Her departure marks the end of a notable period of service characterised by strategic foresight, resilience, and a steadfast commitment to advancing communications, advocacy, and collaboration across the global LPG industry.
Appointed to the role in October 2019 during the WLGA meetings in Amsterdam, Esther assumed leadership shortly before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, a period that presented unprecedented challenges to organisations worldwide. Under her guidance, the Advocacy Goal navigated this turbulent environment with professionalism and cohesion, ensuring that communication and progress continued uninterrupted despite the global disruptions.
A central aspect of Esther’s legacy is the Annual Presidents Platform, a strategic forum bringing together the Presidents and Chairs of national and regional LPG associations with the WLGA President. This platform facilitates high-level dialogue on the evolving challenges and opportunities within global LPG markets. Over time, it has become a fixture on the WLGA calendar, serving as a cornerstone of international engagement and coordination among the Association’s leadership community.
Esther also oversaw the launch of the Cooking for Life Africa Task Force, an industry-wide initiative dedicated to promoting and coordinating actions that enable affordable, sustainable, and clean LPG use for cooking across the African continent. This program reflects the industry’s ongoing commitment to accelerating access to modern energy solutions, supporting both public health and environmental sustainability through the reduction of reliance on traditional biomass fuels.
Although stepping down from her role as Chair of the Advocacy Goal, Eshter will continue to contribute actively to the WLGA. She has graciously accepted the position of Chair of the Women in LPG (WINLPG) Network, where she will continue her advocacy for diversity, inclusion, and gender empowerment across the global LPG value chain. Her continued engagement ensures that her leadership, insight, and dedication remain integral to the Association’s ongoing initiatives.
The WLGA is also pleased to announce that Mr. Melih Poyraz, CEO of Aygaz (Türkiye), has been appointed as the incoming Chair of the Advocacy Goal. Mr. Poyraz brings with him extensive executive experience and a deep understanding of the LPG sector. He has expressed strong enthusiasm for advancing the global promotion of LPG and Liquid Gas across all market segments and geographies. Mr. Poyraz will formally assume office on 1st January 2026, ensuring a seamless transition of responsibilities.
Michael Kelly
WLGA Chief Advocacy Officer and Deputy Managing Director