Algeria’s important role in driving natural gas towards a greater and sustainable post-COVID-19 future in 2020 has been commended by the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF).

Throughout 2020, Algeria shouldered the responsibility of the GECF rotating Presidency with excellence, despite myriad challenges and limitations brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. It hosted the 22nd Ministerial Meeting of the GECF in November 2020, which will serve to advance the organisation’s agenda. Additionally, in 2020, Algeria presided over three other international energy organisations, namely, the Organisation of Petroleum Countries (OPEC), the Organisation of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC), and the Organisation of African Petroleum Exporting Countries (APPO).

“Algeria is a founding member of the GECF. We are very proud with what has been achieved by the GECF until now. We congratulate Member Countries and the GECF Secretariat for their cooperative actions and successful achievements that made the Forum stronger and able to fulfil its objectives. The recent establishment of the GECF Gas Research Institute in Algeria is a great example of the progress made in a cooperative and forward-looking manner,” said HE Abdelmadjid Attar, Minister of Energy of Algeria and Chairman of the 22nd GECF Ministerial Meeting. 

The country has a rich legacy of exploiting natural gas resources for the benefit of its people and the world. Algeria became the world’s first LNG exporter when it delivered, in 1964, its first cargo from its plant in Arzew to the United Kingdom, which became a doorstep to the flourishing of the LNG commodity. 

“The pioneering Algerian work in the natural gas endures, with an everlasting place in the world. Today, Algeria is leading the way in advocating synergy between natural gas and renewables, both of which will together provide more than double the world’s electricity supply by 2050,” said HE Yury Sentyurin, the Secretary General of the GECF.  

“Our sincerest thanks go to HE Abdelmadjid Attar and his team for their outstanding work and leadership during Algeria’s time as the GECF president in a difficult year.”

In 2021, Algeria’s Eng. Mohamed Hamel will serve as the Chairman of the GECF Executive Board. This is a milestone year, which will mark the expected recovery of gas demand and also witness the sixth edition of the biennial GECF Summit of Heads of State and Government, to be held in Qatar. Algeria will host the 7th edition of the GECF Summit in 2023. 

KeyFacts Energy Industry Directory: Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF)