7th GECF Summit: Global Gas Industry Leaders Convene in Algiers

The highly anticipated three-day 7th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Forum of Gas Exporting Countries (GECF) kicked off today at the International Conference Center Abdullatif Rahhal in Algiers, the capital of Algeria. The summit brings together gas-producing nations worldwide.

Among the distinguished attendees expected at the summit are leaders from at least 11 nations, including the host, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune of Algeria, as well as heads of state from Bolivia, Iran, Iraq, Mauritania, and Mozambique.

Additionally, the head of the Presidential Council of Libya, the emir of Qatar, the president of Venezuela, the president of Senegal, and the President Tunisia are slated to participate.

Italy, the sole Western nation invited as a guest of honor, will be represented by a delegation from the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security, led by Deputy Minister Vannia Gava.

During the ministerial meetings held yesterday in Algiers, Mohamed Hamel, the secretary general of the Forum, announced that Mauritania has officially joined the GECF, while Senegal’s membership request has been approved, increasing the total number of GECF member and observer countries to 20, including other gas-producing nations such as Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Libya, Nigeria, Russia, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Arab Emirates, Angola, Azerbaijan, Malaysia, and Peru.

According to the “Global Gas Outlook 2050” report unveiled during the ministerial meeting, global demand for natural gas is projected to rise significantly, potentially contributing 26 percent to the global energy mix by 2050.

However, Rachid Hachichi, CEO of the Algerian energy company Sonatrach, emphasized during a press conference that the Forum does not intend to interfere with price regulation.

The GECF, which follows the footsteps of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), represents a natural gas cartel aiming to promote fair energy transition, maintain stability and collaboration within the global gas industry.