The eighth summit of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) will be held on October 26, 2026, (Aban 4, 1405) in Moscow. This summit provides an opportunity to review the outlook of the global gas market and strengthen cooperation among member countries. In the current conditions, where geopolitical developments and investment challenges in the energy sector exist, the importance of the convergence of gas-producing and exporting countries is more significant than ever.
The Necessity of Strengthening the Role of Natural Gas in the Global Energy Mix
Seyed Ali Mohammad Mousavi, Deputy for International Affairs and Commerce of the Ministry of Oil and representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran in energy forums, has pointed to the necessity of strengthening the role of natural gas in the global energy mix and believes that the Gas Exporting Countries Forum should focus on developing operational cooperation, enhancing market analysis capacity, and supporting sustainable investment to play a more effective role in energy equations. He emphasizes that ensuring energy security requires guaranteeing supply and demand security and avoiding the politicization of energy relations.
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Challenges Facing Gas Exports and Developing Cooperation
Mousavi further discussed the cooperation potentials between Iran and Russia in the field of natural gas and the challenges facing the gas industry, emphasizing the necessity of strengthening the convergence of GECF members to enhance the international standing of the forum. He refers to topics such as field development, technology transfer, and technical and engineering services in this summit. Additionally, he addresses the role of LNG trade and pipelines in the future of gas exports, noting that these two transfer methods can play complementary roles.
In this summit, the twenty-eighth ministerial meeting of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum will also be held under the presidency of the Minister of Gas of Nigeria before the leaders' summit. This meeting is responsible for reviewing and approving topics related to the forum's policies and programs and plays an important role in preparing content and creating coordination among members for a successful leaders' summit.
The final statement of the eighth leaders' summit is expected to cover important political and strategic topics for the forum, such as the importance of natural gas in the future of global energy, ensuring sustainable supply and demand security, and supporting investment in the gas industry. Additionally, topics such as addressing challenges arising from unilateral restrictions and enhancing the security of energy infrastructure will also be raised in this statement.
Overall, the Gas Exporting Countries Forum will face multiple structural and strategic challenges in the coming years. Creating a balance between energy supply and energy transition policies, securing the necessary investment for developing gas capacities, and geopolitical developments are among these challenges. The forum must be able to clarify the actual role of natural gas in ensuring energy security and economic development based on credible studies.
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