Member Corner
Baku, Azerbaijan | 1 June 2026 — At the Opening Ceremony of Baku Energy Week 2026, HE Dr Philip Mshelbila, Secretary General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), addressed a distinguished audience of leaders, ministers, industry executives, and international organizations, including HE President Ilham Aliyev of the Republic of Azerbaijan. In his remarks, the Secretary General highlighted the growing importance of energy security in an increasingly interconnected and uncertain global environment. He emphasized that resilient energy systems require long-term vision, sustained investment, reliable infrastructure, diversified supply routes, and strong cooperation among producers, consumers, and transit countries. Dr Mshelbila reaffirmed the GECF’s view that security of supply and security of demand are mutually reinforcing pillars of future energy stability. He noted that natural gas remains essential for delivering the flexibility, reliability, and resilience required by modern energy systems, while complementing the continued expansion of renewable energy. The Secretary General also commended Azerbaijan’s remarkable energy journey, from oil and natural gas to renewable energy development, and recognized the country’s role as a reliable strategic energy partner connecting resources to markets across regions. He further welcomed Azerbaijan’s valuable contribution to dialogue among gas-producing nations and its growing role in regional and international gas markets. Baku Energy Week continues to serve as an important platform for fostering strategic dialogue, strengthening international cooperation, and advancing practical solutions for a secure, sustainable, and inclusive energy future.