Doha: The Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) reaffirmed the permanent sovereign rights of its member states to manage, develop, and utilize their natural gas resources sustainably for the benefit of their people. The Forum emphasized the need for collective efforts to enhance energy security, stability, and sustainability.
According to Qatar News Agency, this was stated in the final communique of the 27th Ministerial Meeting of the GECF, held Thursday in Doha at the invitation of HE Minister of State for Energy Affairs Eng. Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi, and chaired by HE Minister of Oil and Gas of the Government of National Unity of Libya Khalifa Abdul Sadiq. The communique underscored the pivotal role of natural gas as a reliable, flexible, and clean energy source in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in eradicating energy poverty and supporting inclusive and sustainable social and economic development.
Participating ministers expressed satisfaction with the strong projected growth in global gas usage over the short, medium, and long term. GECF forecasts indicate a 32 percent increase in global demand for natural gas by 2050, with its share in the global primary energy mix rising from 23 percent to 26 percent. The statement stressed the importance of adequate investment in natural gas production to meet rising demand and acknowledged the resilience of GECF member states in ensuring stable supplies amid changing market dynamics.
It also highlighted the need for long-term contracts, transparent pricing mechanisms, and predictable regulatory frameworks to ensure stable and secure gas markets. The meeting reiterated the critical importance of supply and demand security and warned against misleading calls to halt investment in natural gas production, which undermine energy security. Ministers voiced support for initiatives aimed at enhancing regional gas connectivity through cross-border pipelines, LNG terminals, and storage facilities.
The communique called for mobilizing sustainable financing sources to support gas infrastructure development, particularly in developing countries, and encouraged effective cooperation with international financial institutions, multilateral development banks, and private sector partners to facilitate infrastructure financing. Participants expressed deep concern over the potential imposition of unilateral restrictive measures with extraterritorial impact, particularly the EU Methane Emissions Regulation (EU MER), the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (EU CSDDD), and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (EU CBAM), which often conflict with the principles and requirements of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Paris Agreement, and the World Trade Organization.
They welcomed the establishment of a dedicated GECF committee to study the EU methane emissions regulations, corporate sustainability due diligence, and carbon border adjustment mechanism. The meeting reaffirmed the importance of unified efforts to achieve sustainable development goals and address climate change in an orderly, fair, and inclusive manner. It also stressed the critical need to protect national and cross-border gas infrastructure from natural disasters, technological accidents, terrorist attacks, and cyber threats to ensure supply continuity and market stability.
The meeting acknowledged the growing importance of digital technologies in enhancing operational efficiency, transparency, and safety across the natural gas value chain, and encouraged member states to invest in data analytics, AI-powered tools, and smart infrastructure to improve resource management. The final communique of the 27th Ministerial Meeting of the GECF praised the efforts of the GECF Secretariat in expanding membership, fostering constructive dialogue with key partners, producing high-quality studies and publications, and strengthening the Forum's global presence.
Participants expressed their support for the active participation of the GECF in the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) and reaffirmed the Forum's role in advocating for natural gas as a key enabler of climate and sustainable development goals. They also welcomed the proposal to hold the 8th GECF Heads of State and Government Summit and the 28th Ministerial Meeting next year in Moscow, Russia.