Ministers of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), meeting Thursday in Doha (Qatar), emphasised the need to strengthen investments in the gas sector to meet growing demand for this clean energy source, while warning against “misleading calls” to cease funding gas-development projects.
In their final communiqué, adopted at the meeting attended by the Algerian Minister of State, Minister of Hydrocarbons and Mines, Mohamed Arkab, the ministers insisted on the “importance of timely investment throughout the gas value chain to ensure adequate supplies meeting rising demand.”
After praising “the capacity of member countries to ensure stable supplies despite market fluctuations,” the ministers cautioned against “misleading calls” to halt investment in natural gas, noting this approach would have a “negative impact on energy security.”
The ministers also expressed “deep concern over the potential imposition of unilateral restrictive measures with extraterritorial reach,” citing in particular the EU Methane Emissions Regulation (EU MER), the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (EU CSDDD) and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (EU CBAM). The communiqué stated these “often contradict the principles and requirements of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Paris Agreement and the World Trade Organization.”
Furthermore, the communiqué called for the mobilisation of financial resources to support the development of gas infrastructure, in coordination with international financial institutions, multilateral development banks and the private sector, in order to facilitate financing of gas-sector projects.
The statement noted the global trend: demand for natural gas is projected to rise by 32 % by 2050, with its share in the world’s primary energy mix increasing from 23 % to 26 %.
The ministers also highlighted “the growing importance of digital technologies in enhancing operational efficiency, transparency and safety across the natural-gas value chain,” encouraging “investments in data analytics, AI-driven tools and smart infrastructure for better resource management.”
Finally, the communiqué praised the work of the GECF Secretariat in expanding membership, producing high-quality studies and strengthening the Forum’s global presence. It welcomed the nomination of Philip Mshelbila as the new Secretary-General of the GECF and looked ahead to the 8th Summit of Heads of State and Government and the next ministerial meeting in Moscow in 2026.
