The Heads of State and Government of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) Member Countries endorsed the Doha Declaration at the end of their 6th Summit, which was underpinned by a spirit of solidarity and cooperation.
The Doha Declaration also promised to “strengthen natural gas’ environmental credentials, in particular through efforts to reduce gas flaring and methane emissions, and the development of eco-friendly technologies, including carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS).”
Meanwhile, the Heads of State and Government welcomed the proposal of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria to host the 7th GECF Summit in 2023.
Previous GECF Summits have been held in Doha, the State of Qatar (2011); Moscow, the Russian Federation (2013); Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran (2015); Santa Cruz de la Sierra, the Plurinational State of Bolivia (2017); and Malabo, the Republic of Equatorial Guinea (2019).
Hosted by His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, the Amir of the State of Qatar, under the theme “Natural Gas: Shaping the Energy Future”, the 6th GECF Summit brought together Heads of State and Government of Member Countries Algeria, Bolivia, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Iran, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Russia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela, and Observers Angola, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Malaysia, Mozambique, Norway, Peru, and the United Arab Emirates.
The President of the GECF Ministerial Meeting in 2022, HE Tarek El Molla, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources of the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the Secretary General of the GECF, HE Mohamed Hamel, attended the Summit.
The 6th GECF Summit welcomed Mozambique as a new Observer Member.
The Summit’s slogan of Shaping the Energy Future was reflective of its era, taking place at a time of energy price volatility and heightened attention to the world’s fastest growing hydrocarbon fuel.
The Doha Declaration addresses all aspects of the global gas markets that have preoccupied policymakers and industry stakeholders in recent times as they navigate a changing energy landscape.
The Doha Declaration collectively resolved“to promote natural gas as an abundant, affordable, clean, and reliable source of energy, and as the fuel of choice to satisfy the growing world energy needs, and to address climate change and improve air quality.”
It also underlined the continued trust of Member Countries in the Forum by asking it to “encourage the expanded use of natural gas domestically and internationally to address the gap in achieving United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #7, which affects the most vulnerable.”
The three-day 6th GECF Summit was marked by a number of milestones, including a ceremony for the GECF Awards. More information on the recipients of the inaugural GECF Awards is available here.
The Heads of State and Government of the GECF Member Countries extended their appreciation to HH Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani for his excellent leadership of the 6thGECF Summit, and to the government and the people of the State of Qatar for their warm hospitality.
