Strengthening International Ties: James Rockall, WLGA Chief Executive, Visits Mongolia and Japan
In August and September 2025, WLGA Chief Executive Mr James Rockall undertook two missions, to Mongolia and Japan, to strengthen cooperation with government and industry on the role of Liquid Gas in cleaner, more resilient energy systems.
In Ulaanbaatar (5th – 9th August), Mr Rockall met with the Ministry of Minerals and Natural Resources, the Ulaanbaatar Mayor’s office, municipal officials, development partners, and private-sector representatives to discuss how LPG can contribute to improving air quality and supporting Mongolia’s energy transition. Conversations focused on the use of Autogas to reduce transport emissions, LPG-based power generation for areas with unreliable grid access, and clean household energy to replace coal and raw biomass in yurt districts. The Ministry recognised LPG’s potential to deliver practical, near-term environmental benefits and welcomed continued engagement with WLGA and industry partners to explore investment and policy pathways.
James Rockall with Mr Baatardorj. N, Executive Director of the Mongolian Gas Fuel Association and Mr Chuluunbat. Ch, Director of the Petroleum and Products Department, MRPAM - James Rockall and Baatarjav. N, Director of “Dashvaanjil Group” LLC have come together to sign an agreement that focuses on making the air cleaner and improving people's quality of life
In Japan (14th – 17th September), Mr Rockall participated in two Ministerials, one on Sustainable Fuels and one on Hydrogen, in Osaka, where ministers called for a fourfold increase in global sustainable-fuel production by 2035 and reaffirmed a multi-pathway approach to carbon neutrality. In his intervention, Mr Rockall highlighted LPG’s essential contribution as a clean, accessible, and scalable energy used by more than three billion people worldwide. He also underscored the growing role of renewable LPG and rDME, which build on existing infrastructure to deliver deeper carbon reductions while enhancing energy security and resilience.
In Tokyo, Mr Rockall held meetings with the Japan LPG Association, Japan Gas Energy (WLGA’s newest Japanese member), and Astomos. Discussions centred on Japan’s leadership in innovation, safety, and renewable Liquid Gas development, and on preparations for the WLGA Strategic Innovation Summit, which will take place in Tokyo in March 2026. The meetings confirmed strong alignment between WLGA and its Japanese partners in promoting technological advancement and global collaboration.
James Rockall met with Yoji Muto, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Yoshifumi Murase, Commissioner at METI, and other ministers in Tokyo during the Ministerial Meeting on Sustainable Fuels - James speaking at the Ministerial Meeting on Sustainable Fuels - James together with Tanaka-san and Arahata-san at the event
Together, the two missions reinforced WLGA’s message that LPG and renewable Liquid Gases are indispensable to practical decarbonisation, delivering cleaner air, energy access, and resilience today while contributing to a sustainable energy future.