Member Corner
The Gas Exporting Countries Forum (hashtag#GECF) convened its Meeting in the Run-Up to hashtag#COP30 at the GECF Headquarters in Doha, with the participation of high-level representatives from GECF Member Countries and honoured by the presence of HE Mukhtar Babayev, President of COP29 and Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Climate Issues. In his opening remarks, HE Eng. Mohamed Hamel, Secretary General of the GECF, underscored the essential role of natural gas for sustainable development and orderly, just and inclusive energy transitions. He reaffirmed that development and decarbonisation are complementary objectives that must advance together under the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities. He also highlighted the importance of multilateralism under the UNFCCC and cautioned against unilateral measures that are not consistent with the provisions of the Paris Agreement and risk fragmenting cooperation. The programme featured two sessions. Session 1 – “Negotiation Landscape: State of Play” provided updates on the evolving UNFCCC process, including developments from Baku to Belém. Session 2 – “Negotiation-focused” brought a series of expert presentations: an NDC 3.0 gap report and the third cycle update; Article 6 and cooperative approaches; unlocking climate finance through global carbon markets; unilateral measures and the global climate negotiation landscape; and an overview of the Baku to Belém Roadmap to USD 1.3 trillion. The meeting also included a closed discussion among Member Countries. Looking ahead to COP30 in hashtag#Belém, hashtag#Brazil, the GECF will deliver a statement in high-level segment, co-organise a UNFCCC-accredited side event with the Al-Attiyah Foundation, and hold a coordination meeting with OPEC. The Forum invites Member Countries to actively participate in GECF’s COP30 engagements and stands ready to support national delegations throughout the negotiations.