27th GECF Ministerial Meeting Concluded in Doha

M Ashraf Siddiqui

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23/10/2025

Doha, 23 Oct. 2025 (GECF)

In the spirit of solidarity and cooperation, the Ministers of the Member Countries of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), convened on 23 October 2025 in Doha, State of Qatar, for the 27^th GECF Ministerial Meeting, at the gracious invitation of Eng. Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Minister of State for Energy Affairs of the State of Qatar, and under the Presidency of Dr Khalifa Rajab Abdulsadek, Minister of Oil and Gas of the State of Libya, President of the 27^th GECF Ministerial Meeting for year 2025. The meeting was attended by the by the Member Countries Algeria, Bolivia, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Iran, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Russia, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela. The Observer Countries Angola, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Mauritania, Mozambique, Peru and Senegal were also in attendance.

The Ministers:

Recalling the objectives of the GECF enshrined in its Statute,

Reaffirming the permanent sovereign rights of Member Countries over their natural gas resources, and their right to manage, develop, and utilize them in a sustainable manner for the benefit of their peoples,

Underlining the importance of multilateral cooperation in promoting energy security, stability, and sustainability,

The Ministerial Meeting,

Expressed its full solidarity with the State of Qatar following the recent attack
on 9 September 2025 on its territory, strongly condemned all acts of aggression that undermine the sovereignty, security, and stability of all Member Countries, and reaffirmed unwavering support for Qatar’s right to safeguard its people, infrastructure, and national interests.
Underscored the pivotal role of natural gas as a clean, reliable, and flexible energy source in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in eradicating energy poverty and supporting inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development.
Noted with satisfaction the projected strong growth of global gas utilization in the short, medium and long term.
Took note of the GECF Global Gas Outlook 2050, which projects a 32% growth
in natural gas demand by 2050 and an increase of its share in the world’s primary energy mix from 23% to 26%.
Reaffirmed the importance of timely investment in the gas value chain to provide adequate supplies of natural gas to meet the projected growing demand and acknowledged the resilience of the GECF Member Countries in ensuring stable supplies amidst evolving market dynamics.
Recognized the importance of long-term contracts, transparent pricing mechanisms and predictable regulatory frameworks to ensure stable and secure natural gas markets.
Reaffirmed the critical importance of security of supply and security of demand.
Cautioned against the misguided calls to halt investment in natural gas, which undermine energy security.
Supported initiatives aimed at strengthening regional gas interconnectivity through cross-border pipelines, LNG terminals, and storage facilities.
Emphasized the role of regional cooperation in improving energy access and market resilience.
Called for the mobilization of sustainable financing resources to support gas infrastructure development, notably in developing countries, and called upon effective collaboration with international financial institutions, multilateral development banks, and private sector stakeholders to facilitate financing of gas infrastructure.
Expressed deep concern regarding the potential imposition of unilateral restrictive measures and regulations with extraterritorial effect, in particular the EU Methane Emission Regulation (EU MER), the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (EU CSDDD) and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism Regulation (EU CBAM), which impose obligations that are in many cases inconsistent with the principles and requirements of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Paris Agreement and the World Trade Organization, and welcomed the establishment of the GECF Ad Hoc Working Group on the EU MER, EU CSDDD and EU CBAM.
Reaffirmed the importance of multilateralism and cooperation to achieve the SDGs and address climate change in an orderly, just and inclusive manner, leaving
no one behind.
Commended Member Countries for their efforts in reducing methane emissions and routine gas flaring within the framework of their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in light of their national circumstances and capabilities.
Supported the deployment of advanced technologies, especially carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS).
Stressed the critical importance of safeguarding national and cross-border gas infrastructure from natural disasters, technological incidents, terrorist attacks and cyber threats to ensure uninterrupted supply and market stability.
Recognized the growing importance of digital technologies in enhancing operational efficiency, transparency, and safety across the natural gas value chain, and encouraged Member Countries to invest in data analytics, AI-driven tools, and smart infrastructure to optimize resource management.
Commended the GECF Secretariat for its dedication to expanding membership, fostering constructive dialogue with key stakeholders, delivering high-quality studies and publications, and enhancing the GECF global visibility.
Commended the progress of the GECF Gas Research Institute and encouraged further collaboration in research, innovation, and technology transfer.
Committed to fostering the next generation of energy professionals through training programs, academic partnerships, and knowledge exchange initiatives.
Expressed support for GECF’s active participation in COP30 and reaffirmed the GECF role in advocating for natural gas as a key contributor to achieving climate goals and sustainable development.
Highlighted the significant role of natural gas in advancing access to clean cooking and underscored in this regard the importance of enhancing cooperation in this area and in developing related infrastructure.
Affirmed the importance of inclusive policies that promote greater participation in the energy sector and supported programs that empower people, notably women and youth, through education, employment, and leadership opportunities in the gas industry.
Welcomed the proposal to convene the 8^th GECF Summit of Heads of State and Government and the 28^th GECF Ministerial Meeting in 2026 in Moscow, the Russian Federation.
Expressed its profound appreciation and gratitude to His Excellency
Eng. Mohamed Hamel, the outgoing Secretary General of the GECF, for his dedicated service, exemplary leadership, and substantial contributions to advancing the GECF objectives during his tenure, and commended his efforts
to strengthen cooperation among Member Countries, expand the Forum’s membership, promote the role of natural gas globally, and enhance the international visibility of the GECF.
Congratulated Dr Philip Mshelbila as the newly appointed Secretary General of the GECF and expressed support for his successful tenure.
Expressed appreciation to His Excellency Dr Khalifa Rajab Abdulsadek, Minister
of Oil and Gas of the State of Libya, for the successful Presidency of the Ministerial Meeting for year 2025 enhancing cooperation in the GECF.
Congratulated His Excellency Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as the incoming President of the Ministerial Meeting for the year 2026, and expressed support for his successful tenure.
Expressed profound gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, and His Excellency Eng. Saad Sherida Al Kaabi, Minister of State for Energy Affairs of the State of Qatar, for their warm hospitality and excellent arrangements for the 27^th GECF Ministerial Meeting, and for their unwavering support in hosting the GECF Headquarters.

The official news agency of Qatar QNA reported that Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani met on Thursday with Ministers of Oil, Gas, and Energy participating in the Ministerial Meeting of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) in Doha.

The Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs reiterated Qatar's call to enhance dialogue and cooperation among the GECF's member states to ensure the security of natural gas supplies and the stability of global gas market.