Algeria’s Minister of Energy, GECF’s SG Discuss Global Natural Gas Market
ALGIERS, March 27, 2025 – Mohamed Arkab, Algerian Minister of State and Minister of Energy, Mines, and Renewable Energies, convened with Mohamed Hamel, Secretary General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), on Thursday to examine the current status of the global natural gas market and the challenges confronting the sector, as stated by the ministry.
The meeting was held at the ministry’s headquarters and included Noureddine Yassaâ, the Secretary of State for Renewable Energy, along with other officials from the ministry.
Discussions primarily revolved around the state of the global natural gas market, the challenges facing the sector, and strategies to enhance cooperation among member countries of the forum. This is particularly relevant in light of the 7th Summit of Heads of State and Government of GECF members, which took place in Algiers in March 2024 and concluded with the Algiers Declaration.
Both parties underscored the strategic significance of natural gas as a vital energy source amid the global transition toward clean energy, emphasizing the need for sustainable investments to ensure supply security and meet rising demand.
The discussions also explored opportunities for strengthening collaboration in research and development, especially regarding technological innovations that aim to improve production and transportation efficiency while minimizing the carbon footprint of the energy sector, in accordance with international sustainable development goals.
In this context, the role of the GECF Gas Research Institute (GRI), which was officially inaugurated in Algeria, was emphasized.
During the meeting, the minister reaffirmed Algeria’s commitment to fostering regional and international cooperation in the natural gas sector, particularly with African countries. He highlighted the importance of developing infrastructure projects to facilitate efficient gas transport, especially within significant energy initiatives between producing and consuming nations.
For his part, the GECF Secretary General reviewed the evolution of the global gas market, addressing the challenges associated with the investments needed to satisfy future demand, projected to reach nearly $11 trillion by 2050. He also stressed the pivotal role of forum member countries in ensuring the security of global gas supplies.
