Doha, Qatar - 13 May 2025 - The Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), in collaboration with the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), convened the 4th Joint Workshop on “Natural Gas for ASEAN’s Sustainable Development” at the GECF Headquarters in Doha. The workshop brought together energy experts from GECF and ASEAN Member States, reinforcing the critical role of natural gas in ensuring energy security, economic development, and environmental sustainability across Southeast Asia.
In his opening remarks, GECF Secretary General HE Eng. Mohamed Hamel highlighted ASEAN’s rising demand for natural gas, driven by urbanisation, industrialisation, and a shift toward cleaner fuels. He emphasized that ASEAN gas demand is projected to rise to over 350 bcm by 2050, with natural gas surpassing coal’s share in the energy mix by the late 2030s. “Natural gas offers a cleaner and reliable alternative to coal, supports grid stability, facilitates clean cooking for over 170 million people, and underpins food security through fertiliser production,” he stated. Dr. Nuki Agya Utama, Director for the Energy Unit at ERIA, highlighted that natural gas continues to play a strategic role in the energy transition, particularly when bolstered by innovation, robust governance, and enhanced international cooperation.
HE Sheikh Dr. Mishal bin Jabor Al-Thani, GECF Executive Board Member from the State of Qatar and HE Dato’ Luqman Ahmad, Deputy Secretary General of Malaysia’s Ministry of Economy delivered keynote addresses highlighting the strategic role of natural gas in regional energy transitions, while stressed the importance of long-term supply partnerships, infrastructure development, and cooperation on low-carbon solutions including CCUS and hydrogen. Sheikh Mishal bin Jabor Al-Thani underscored Qatar’s deepening LNG ties with ASEAN, with exports to Southeast Asia expected to surpass 30 million tonnes annually by mid-century. Dato’ Luqman reaffirmed natural gas as a cornerstone of Malaysia’s energy future, projected to supply 56% of primary energy by 2050.
The workshop featured three technical sessions. The first Session was dedicated to GECF presentations, offering a global and regional perspective. Dr Aydar Shakirov briefed participants on recent structural and short-term shifts in regional gas markets. Dr Amin Naderian presented the GECF Global Gas Outlook, highlighting the robust growth trajectory for ASEAN gas demand. Dr Abubakar Abbas introduced GECF’s Sustainable Energy Scenario, focusing on reconciling economic empowerment with environmental goals. Dr Emmanuel Udofia Akpan from Nigeria’s Ministry of Petroleum Resources provided insights into natural gas as a tool for just transitions in developing regions. Session two featured ERIA’s perspective, including valuable presentations on ASEAN’s decarbonisation pathways through hydrogen, ammonia, and CCS technologies. Speakers underlined the complementary role of natural gas in achieving carbon neutrality, particularly when paired with transition finance.
A timely panel discussion in Session three explored the impact of recent U.S. trade policies and tariffs on energy markets. Adrian Sookhan (GECF), Dr Gusti Suarnaya Sidemen (ERIA), and Aditya Saraswat (Rystad Energy) discussed how rising tariff barriers could influence the competitiveness of U.S. LNG exports, reshape global supply chains, and affect investment decisions in Asia.
In his closing remarks, HE Eng. Mohamed Hamel highlighted two key takeaways: the growing alignment between ERIA and GECF on the critical role of natural gas in ASEAN’s energy future, including collaboration on CCUS technologies, and the urgent need to address financing for natural gas infrastructure to meet rising regional demand. In alignment with this perspective, Dr Nuki Agya Utama, Director for the Energy Unit, ERIA, underscored the value of sustained cooperation between producers and consumers in developing pragmatic and forward-looking energy solutions.
The 4th #ERIA-#GECF Workshop concluded with a shared call for deepening #collaboration to ensure stable, affordable, and cleaner energy access for the ASEAN region. Both organizations reaffirmed their commitment to dialogue, innovation, and joint action to address emerging energy challenges and opportunities