Minister of Oil: ‘GECF is an International Gathering for Solidarity and Joint Action’
On 1 March, in Algiers, Mr. Nani Ould Chrougha, the Minister of Oil, Mines, and Energy, government spokesperson, welcomed the leading role of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) as a pivotal international gathering of solidarity and joint action to protect the interests of countries.
In a speech delivered at the opening session of ministers and delegations participating in the 7th GECF Summit of Heads of State and Government at the Abdellatif Rahal International Conference Center in Algiers, he indicated that Mauritania is participating for the third time in the Forum meetings, adopts its orientations, and works to achieve its objectives, particularly the development of the gas industry.
He added that Mauritania intended to benefit from the Forum in developing expertise and exchanging experiences, praising the missions and the program of the Gas Research Institute inaugurated yesterday in Algiers.
Mr. Ould Chrougha also praised Algeria’s expertise and potential in the gas field and welcomed our country’s membership in the GECF countries, highlighting in this context the capabilities of Mauritania and preparations underway to export gas, with major projects and clean energy potential.
In his speech, Mr. Mohamed Argab, the Algerian Minister of Energy, highlighted the importance of gas, its central role in the energy industry, and its decisive contribution to economic and social development.
He stressed that gas will remain at the center of concerns for energy producers for a long time to come, calling for financial and technological challenges and the training of executives. For his part, the Iranian Minister of Energy, the GECF’s current president, emphasized the sovereign nature of countries in their decisions relating to exploitation of their natural resources, particularly gas.
“This sovereignty is necessary to ensure sustainability and meet the world’s energy needs,” as he put it. He called for mastering technologies, strengthening support and solidarity, and establishing fruitful cooperation among GECF members.
The minister added that the meeting would result in practical decisions and effective measures to strengthen the position of gas-exporting countries as energy suppliers in the world, emphasizing the need to exploit this position for the benefit of the APEC countries.
For his part, Mr. Mohamed El Hamel, the GECF Secretary General, welcomed Mauritania’s membership and active participation for the third time, noting that Senegal submitted yesterday a membership application to the Forum, which will be studied subsequently by the authority concerned.