Outcome of 27th GECF Ministerial Meeting (Report)

Ministers from 12 member countries of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) met in Doha on 23 October 2025, chaired by Libya and hosted by Qatar.  

The meeting reaffirmed solidarity, cooperation, and their countries’ sovereign rights over natural-gas resources and defended continued investment in gas, promoted sustainable development and innovation, and aimed to strengthen GECF’s global role amid energy transition debates.

Key Outcomes of the meeting were:

1. 1- Solidarity and Security:

   • - Expressed full support for Qatar following the September 2025 attack.

   • - Condemned all acts threatening sovereignty and security of member states.

2. 2- Role of Natural Gas:

   • - Reaffirmed gas as a clean, reliable, and flexible energy source vital for achieving UN SDGs and eradicating energy poverty.

   • - Cited GECF’s Global Gas Outlook 2050, projecting 32% growth in gas demand and a rise in its energy-mix share to 26% by 2050.

3. 3- Investment & Market Stability:

   • - Stressed the need for timely investment across the gas value chain.

   • - Supported long-term contracts, transparent pricing, and stable regulation.

   • - Warned against calls to halt gas investment, calling them threats to energy security.

4. 4- Infrastructure & Regional Cooperation:

   • - Backed cross-border pipelines, LNG terminals, and storage projects.

   • - Called for mobilizing sustainable financing, especially in developing countries, with support from international and private institutions.

5. 5- Climate & Sustainability:

   • - Opposed unilateral restrictive measures conflicting with global agreements (UNFCCC, Paris Accord, WTO).

   • Supported multilateral climate action that is just and inclusive.

   • - Commended efforts to reduce methane emissions and flaring under NDCs.

   • - Promoted use of CCUS technologies.

6. 6 - Security & Technology:

   • - Stressed protection of gas infrastructure from natural, cyber, and terrorist threats.

   • - Encouraged use of AI, data analytics, and digital systems for efficiency and transparency.

7. 7- Research & Capacity Building:

   • - Praised the GECF Gas Research Institute and called for more R&D collaboration.

   • - Committed to training, education, and empowerment—especially for women and youth—in the energy sector.

8. 8- Global Engagement:

   • - Supported GECF’s participation in COP30, promoting natural gas as key to climate goals.

   • - Highlighted gas’s role in clean cooking access initiatives.

9. 9- Institutional Decisions:

   • - Philip Mshelbila (Nigeria) appointed new Secretary-General.

   • - Appreciated outgoing SG Mohamed Hamel for his leadership.

   • - Nigeria to chair the next (2026) Ministerial Meeting.

   • - Announced 8th GECF Summit and 28th Ministerial Meeting in Moscow (2026).

Meanwhile,Iran’s Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad announced that Iran has been elected chair of the Executive Board of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) and that Tehran’s proposal to transform the forum into an “Organization of Gas Exporting Countries” was welcomed by member states.