Meeting Preview
The 24th GECF Ministerial Meeting will be held on 25 October 2022 in Cairo, the Arab Republic of Egypt.
His Excellency Tarek El Molla, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources of the Arab Republic of Egypt, will chair the Meeting in his capacity as President of the GECF Ministerial Meeting for 2022.
The Ministerial Meeting is the supreme governing body of the Forum and meets once a year in accordance with the GECF Statute.
The GECF was established in 2001. In 2008, it was transformed into an international governmental organisation headquartered in Doha, the State of Qatar.
The GECF comprises of 19 member countries, with Algeria, Bolivia, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Iran, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Russia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela as Members, and Angola, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Malaysia, Mozambique, Norway, Peru, and the UAE as Observers.
Together, they represent 72% of the global proven natural gas reserves, 43% of marketed production, 55% of exports by pipeline, and 50% of LNG exports.
Welcome Address of HE Eng. Tarek El Molla, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources of the Arab Republic of Egypt
It is with great pleasure and honour that I welcome you all to Egypt on the occasion of hosting the 24th Ministerial Meeting of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum. I am looking forward to greet you all and to share some of our best cultural heritage that Egypt has to offer from traditional food to folklore music and various museums.
Egypt enjoys a long and productive membership at the GECF and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all GECF Members, Observers and the Secretariat for their profound efforts over the years. The successful journey of the GECF is a true sign of resilience and adaptability of our global energy industry. As we convene once again, in this critical time where the whole world is turning towards energy as a source of development and prosperity, it is our role to continue our collaboration and drive the natural gas industry forward in an insightful manner.
As President of the Ministerial Meeting, I assure you that I will strive to provide a constructive dialogue that will contribute to fulfilling the objectives of the Forum and all its member countries while focusing on the future role of natural gas in the energy transition process as a reliable and affordable source of energy.
Once again, on behalf of the Arab Republic of Egypt, I would like to welcome you to our beautiful city of Cairo and I hope that your time here is pleasant, unforgettable and fruitful.
Message of HE Eng. Mohamed Hamel, Secretary General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum
The 24th GECF Ministerial Meeting is held at a time when the world faces a multifaceted crisis and heightened uncertainty, stemming from the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, gloomy economic prospects, highest inflation in decades, tightening financial conditions, supply chain disruptions, looming food shortages, and, above all, rising geopolitical tensions.
Energy security and affordability have moved to the top of the priority list of policymakers, with sustainability taking a backseat. At the same time, another energy crisis, that faced daily by three billion people lacking access to modern energy services, continues unabated and has even worsened. Furthermore, the IPCC Sixth Assessment Working Groups’ reports have once again underlined the urgency of mitigation and adaptation to climate change.
Natural gas markets are going through a rapid and substantial restructuring in terms of physical flows, investment, and contractual arrangements. From being the market of last resort, Europe has become the preferred destination for LNG cargoes. As a result, some developing countries are no longer able to satisfy their gas import needs, a situation that creates economic havoc, lowers the standard of living of their people, and gives rise to political and social instability.
Against this backdrop, the 24th GECF Ministerial Meeting is a great opportunity to exchange views, and explore ways and means to strengthen the Forum and expand its membership. It is also an opportunity to reemphasise the crucial role of natural gas in sustainable development, and as an enabler of the energy transition – a transition that is smooth, cost-effective, just, and leaves no one behind.
It is all the more a great opportunity that the 24th GECF Ministerial Meeting is held in Cairo, the Arab Republic of Egypt, a very important country for natural gas markets, with a thriving, dynamic and innovative industry. It is also a wonderful coincidence that Egypt is set to host COP 27 in Sharm El Sheikh this year. I certainly believe that the 24th GECF Ministerial Meeting will bear fruitful results and lay a firm groundwork for future growth of natural gas.
Programme at a Glance
Sunday 23 October 2022
Extraordinary Executive Board Meeting
The Extraordinary Executive Board meeting of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum is held in accordance with the Forum's Statute, and is tasked with preparing and reviewing the documents to be submitted for the consideration of the 24th GECF Ministerial Meeting.
The representatives from the GECF Members and Observers will attend the meeting.
Monday 24 October 2022
JODI-Gas Information Session
The eight JODI-Gas Partners, representing both energy producing and consuming countries, work together with the stakeholders of the industry value chain, as well as with national administrations of more than 100 countries around the world, to establish global monthly oil and gas data statistics, using an approved reporting and dissemination mechanism.
During the Information Session, the Partners will present the unique collection and dissemination mechanism of this global initiative and the key features that differentiate JODI from other data sources.
GECF Global Gas Model and Accelerated Energy Transition Scenario Workshop
The Workshop aims to explore the GECF Global Gas Model and the results of the Accelerated Energy Transition Scenario.
Tuesday 25 October 2022
The 24th Ministerial Meeting of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum
The Gas Exporting Countries Forum will have its 24thMinisterial Meeting under the Chairmanship of HE Eng. Tarek El Molla, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Arab Republic of Egypt.
It is the pinnacle event and a high-level meeting of the Ministers of the GECF Members Algeria, Bolivia, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Iran, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Russia, Trinidad, and Tobago, and Venezuela, as well as Observers Angola, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Malaysia, Mozambique, Norway, Peru, and the United Arab Emirates.
Select guest countries have also been invited to attend the Ministerial Meeting.
Explore the Arab Republic of Egypt
The Arab Republic of Egypt is a transcontinental country, located in the northeast corner of Africa and connected to the southwest corner of Asia by the Sinai Peninsula. It is a Mediterranean country with the Red Sea running in the east. With this unique strategic location, it is considered as a tri-identity country being simultaneously Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and North African.
Egypt has one of the longest histories, tracing its heritage along the Nile Delta back to the 6th-4th millennia BCE. The river Nile is the focal point of urban planning, an incredible 6,695 km gift of sustenance for Egypt and three other countries, making it the longest, and arguably most vital, river in the world. Within this stretch of the Nile is the world’s most intensive concentration of temples, tombs and palaces constructed over the span of 4,000 years.
Considered a cradle of civilisation, it saw some of the earliest developments of writing, agriculture, urbanisation, organised religion and central government. Egypt's long and rich cultural heritage is an integral part of its national identity. Egyptian culture dates back thousands of years to the ancient Pharaohs and has been influenced by numerous invaders throughout history. Without a doubt, this colonialist footprint has blended with the country’s rich tradition to define Egyptian culture, as we know it today.
Egyptians are well known for their friendliness. They are very warm, generous and sociable people who are always ready to strike up a conversation and assist you in anything. The official language is Arabic.
Egypt has a well-developed energy sector relying on oil, natural gas and hydropower. Egypt is the largest non-OPEC oil producer and the third-largest dry natural gas producer in Africa. It plays a vital role in international energy markets thanks to the Suez Canal and the SUMED Pipeline. This is the route for oil and LNG shipments to travel from the Persian Gulf to Europe.
Egypt achieved gas self-sufficiency in September 2018. It now has excess natural gas which it exports. This was due to executing major gas development projects such as West Nile Delta, Noros, Atoll and Zohr. Egypt’s natural gas production rate is 6.6 bcf/day. Egypt has launched several initiatives to boost renewable energy production, particularly solar PV and wind production and it is attracting further investments in this field for better energy efficiency. The energy sector dominates the economy, accounting for around 25% of national GDP.
The City of Cairo
Cairo - the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Middle East and Africa - has long been the center of political and cultural heartbeat of the region. It is often referred to as "the city of a thousand minarets" for its majority of Islamic architecture. It is a metropolitan city that lies along the Nile River and is home to over 10 million residents. The city that has stood for more than 1,000 years, poses an impressive mix of ancient and modern history. Between these two amazing synthesis lies a whole array of a rich heritage of human and cultural experience.
