Member Corner
H.E. Eng. Mohamed Hamel, Secretary General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), delivered the keynote address at the Libya Africa International Gas Forum, held in Tripoli under the patronage of H.E. Abdulhamid Dbeibeh, Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity of Libya, and H.E. Dr Khalifa AbdelSadek, Minister of Oil and Gas of Libya.
In his remarks, H.E. Hamel commended Libya’s strategic location, rich natural gas endowment, and its longstanding and constructive role as an active Member of the GECF. He emphasised that Libya’s growing engagement in regional energy cooperation positions the country to play a pivotal role in advancing gas development and market integration across Africa and the Mediterranean.
H.E. Hamel recalled the Algiers Declaration of the 7th GECF Summit of Heads of State reaffirming the GECF’s commitment to deepen collaboration with African countries in support of energy security, investment stability, dialogue among producers and consumers, and a balanced global energy transitions. Despite the continent’s sizeable natural resource base, he noted that significant investment in infrastructure, technology, and market frameworks is essential to unlock value and convert potential into prosperity.
In addition, H.E. Hamel stressed that natural gas offers an affordable, scalable, and lower-emission pathway to accelerate electrification, expand clean cooking, strengthen industrial capacity, and support food security through fertilizer production, fundamental pillars for inclusive socio-economic development. He affirmed that these priorities align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG Agenda 2030) and the African Union Agenda 2063, and reiterated that the GECF stands ready to support African countries in achieving them.