7th GECF Summit in Algiers: Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Affairs Arrives in Algiers

BY: Dr. Hana Saada

ALGIERS- Mohamed Arkab, Minister of Energy and Mines, welcomed the Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Affairs and Minister of Oil, Hayan Abdelghani, upon his arrival in Algiers. The Iraqi minister’s visit is in conjunction with his participation in the seventh summit of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF).

According to a statement from the ministry, the Iraqi minister arrived in Algiers to take part in the GECF summit. Minister Arkab greeted the distinguished guest from Algiers at the presidential honor lounge of Houari Boumediene International Airport.

Earlier this morning, the ad-hoc high-level working group dedicated to preparations for the 7th Summit of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) commenced its meeting at the Abdelatif Rahal International Conference Center (CIC) in Algiers. The purpose of this meeting is to draft the “Algiers Declaration,” which will be submitted for review on Friday during an extraordinary ministerial meeting and subsequently adopted on Saturday by the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Forum.

During the extraordinary ministerial meeting of the GECF, Energy Ministers will discuss the final version of the Algiers Declaration and related resolutions, which will then be approved by the Heads of State and Government of the Forum at the summit presided over by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

Following the experts’ meeting in the morning, an inauguration ceremony for the headquarters of the GECF Gas Research Institute, located in Tower-B of the Ministry of Energy and Mines in Algiers, will take place later this Thursday afternoon. This institute will serve as a center for innovation and research dedicated to enhancing gas-related technologies.

Also in the afternoon, at the CIC, the flagship publication of the Forum, the “Global Gas Outlook,” in its 8th edition, will be presented. This presentation will be attended by industry professionals, academics, and representatives from national and international media.

Minister of Energy and Mines, Mohamed Arkab, emphasized that the Algiers Summit will address significant challenges, focusing on issues of common cooperation among the main gas-producing countries to ensure stability in global gas markets and address challenges related to demand for this clean energy resource in the future.

He stated in press statements that “common cooperation among gas-producing countries will be among the main items on the summit’s agenda,” highlighting the importance of securing supply and demand and serving common interests through long-term commercial contracts. He also emphasized the need to strengthen joint efforts in investment and financing of future projects.

The GECF consists of 12 permanent members (Algeria, Bolivia, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Iran, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Russia, Trinidad and Tobago, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela) and 7 observer members (Angola, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Malaysia, Mauritania, Mozambique, Peru).

The Forum, an intergovernmental organization representing the major gas-exporting countries worldwide, oversees 70% of the world’s proven gas reserves, more than 40% of marketed production, 47% of pipeline exports, and over half of LNG exports globally.

It works towards shaping the energy future as a global advocate for natural gas, fostering cooperation and dialogue to support member countries’ sovereign rights over their natural gas resources, and contributing to sustainable development and global energy security.