Qatari Energy Minister Addresses GECF Summit in Moscow

Qatari Energy Minister Addresses GECF Summit in Moscow

Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Sada, Minister of Energy and Industry, headed Qatar’s delegation to the Second Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF ), held in Moscow on Monday.

The summit concluded successfully in Moscow, and all the members endorsed the final communiqué, which affirms the sovereignty rights of the exporting countries on their natural resources and highlights the importance of gas as a source of clean energy. The members also look forward to fair gas prices.

Dr. Al- Sada delivered Qatar’s speech before the summit, conveying the greetings of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar, and his most sincere wishes for a successful summit. Dr. Al-Sada also stressed Qatar’s continued efforts to support the GECF and to ensure fair gas prices with the objective of an oil and gas price convergence, both of which will not be at the expense of consumers.

Dr. Al-Sada pointed out that despite profound international political and economical changes, energy issues continue to be at the centre of attention due to the pivotal role it plays in global stability and economic development. He said the changing global energy map has seen “the transformation of many countries from energy exporters to importers and vice versa, thus creating new formulae in the regional and international energy markets.”

Dr. Al-Sada also highlighted the growing international interest in natural gas because of its advantages as the most environmentally friendly among fossil fuels. He said: “It is our conviction that the ideal practical way to reduce CO2 emissions lies in adopting natural gas not just as a basic alternative in energy generation but also as the source of energy for land and marine transport.”

Dr. Al-Sada said the First Gas Summit in Doha was “an important landmark for the gas industry and a turning point in the global interest in natural gas as a source of clean energy.” He said its main success lay in endorsing the absolute and permanent sovereign rights of member countries over their natural resources. “Today, in the Moscow summit, I can assure you that these principles are still valid,” he affirmed.

Dr. Al-Sada voiced Qatar’s call to all producers “to pave the way for advanced technology solutions in the safe, effective, environmental, and sustainable development of the gas industry.” He also invited the exporting countries to enhance dialogue, cooperation and transparency among them, on the one hand, and to create similar levels of trust and cooperation with importing countries, on the other, in order to guarantee the highest levels of gas supply security and market stability. “Our success will facilitate long-term investment in the natural gas industry and will create market conditions conducive to the ideal use of natural resources, thus helping achieve economic growth for everybody,” he added.

Our member countries hold more than two thirds of the proven global gas reserves and produce 85% of the world’s liquefied natural gas. This places a heavy burden upon us to implement effective mechanisms to ensure safe production, to open new markets, and to guarantee the industry’s progress and advancement,” Dr. Al-Sada told the summit.

He noted Qatar’s position as home to the world’s third biggest natural gas reserves and the biggest LNG exporter. He said: “Since the discovery of the North Field’s huge potential, we have placed strong emphasis on the ideal utilization and development of our natural resources, ensuring a sustainable development and economic growth, while continuing to export clean energy to the world.

Dr. Al-Sada had earlier taken part in the GECF’s extraordinary Ministerial Meeting, which discussed and approved the summit’s working agenda and final statement. During the meeting, it was also agreed that the third gas summit will be held in Iran.

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LNG World News Staff, June 25, 2013; Image: Qatar Petroleum