World’s largest gas exporters to convene in Tehran
RoydadNaft – The deputy minister of international affairs and commerce at Iran’s Ministry of Oil announced that the world’s largest gas exporters, who collectively hold 70% of global gas reserves, 40% of production, 47% of pipeline exports, as well as 51% of LNG exports, will gather in Tehran for the 26th Ministerial Meeting of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) from December 6 to 8, as Mohsen Paknejad, Iran’s oil minister, will chair the event.
According to Ali-Mohammad Mousavi, 16 key gas-producing and exporting countries are expected to attend.
The GECF comprises 12 member nations, including Iran, Russia, Qatar, Algeria, and Venezuela, alongside eight observer countries such as Angola, Azerbaijan, Iraq, and Malaysia.
Mousavi emphasized the strategic importance of the forum, which serves as the GECF’s chief policy-making body.
He highlighted the agenda, including the approval of the budget, the election of the secretary-general, and the selection of the next meeting’s leadership. The meeting will also provide updates on the global gas market outlook.
Iran, a founding member, hosted the GECF’s inaugural meeting in 2001. The GECF Secretariat is based in Qatar. Iran has hosted several high-profile GECF events, including the 3rd Heads of State Summit in 2015.
On December 6, an extraordinary executive board meeting will take place, followed by industry site visits and bilateral meetings on December 7.
The Ministerial Meeting on December 8 will feature an open session, including speeches from the GECF President and Secretary-General, followed by a closed-door session. A press conference will conclude the event.
Mousavi confirmed that six member countries, including Iran, Qatar, Russia, Nigeria, Libya, and Algeria, representing half of the world’s gas reserves, will participate at the ministerial level. Oman will attend as a guest, and invitations have been extended to Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan.
