GECF 4th Anniversary Celebration

The Gas Exporting Countries Forum celebrated its 4th Anniversary as a fully-fledged international organization at the Diplomatic Club in Doha, State of Qatar.

The ceremony was attended by Ministers, members of the Diplomatic corps as well as dignitaries from the State of Qatar and other relevant industry leaders. The Agreement on the Functioning of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum and the Statute of the GECF were signed by the representatives of the governments of 11 Member Countries during the 8th Ministerial Meeting held in Moscow, Russia on December 23, 2008.

In his welcome address, the Secretary General of the GECF, HE Leonid Bokhanovskiy, reiterated the relevance of the Forum as a platform for cooperation and exchange of ideas for a stable and transparent natural gas market. As the GECF progresses towards the 2nd Gas Summit in Moscow, Russia in 2013, Bokhanovskiy said a number of countries and organizations have continued to recognise its role as a trusted authority in gas. This year, the United Arab Emirates became a Member Country of the GECF and Iraq joined the Forum as an Observer Member.

Mr. Bokhanovskiy re-stated that the growth of the Forum from eleven to thirteen Member Countries and four Observers is a sign of international recognition and confidence by key players in the sector. GECF is progressively taking a role as an active intergovernmental organisation in the global energy landscape. We have developed our internal processes and IT infrastructure, research and human capital capacity as well as our legal and regulatory framework to effectively deliver on our missions and objectives. We have grown from a new participant in the natural gas market to an active international intergovernmental organisation that continues to contribute to global energy debates and research.

He emphasized that to get to this point required commitment and dedication, but most of all support. I would like to use this opportunity to thank His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar for his support and contributions to the Forum. HE Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada the Minister of Energy and Industry, State of Qatar, Mr. Mohammed Nasser Al-Hajri, Distinguished Executive Board Member of Qatar, the Ministry of Foreign affairs and all other dignitaries and institutions in Qatar that continue to contribute to the cordial relationship the Forum is enjoying with the Government and people of Qatar.

The Secretary General thanked everyone for their support and contributions in the affairs of the GECF and said that 2013 will be an exciting year for the Gas Exporting Countries Forum as it commences preparation towards the 2nd Gas Summit in Moscow, Russia.