Doha, October 23 (QNA) - HE Minister of State for Energy Affairs Eng. Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi stressed the importance of clarity in opposing trade barriers and discriminatory measures affecting energy products.

This came during the 27th Ministerial Meeting of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), held Thursday in Doha.

His Excellency stated during the meeting that despite geopolitical tensions and faltering climate policies, the outlook for natural gas, particularly liquefied natural gas (LNG), remains positive.

He added that these expectations are driven by economic growth in Asia, the increasing desire for cleaner and more cost-effective energy sources, as well as the growing demand for energy from data centers and artificial intelligence.

His Excellency pointed out that the State of Qatar continues to collaborate with member countries to enhance the role of natural gas as a key enabler for access to cleaner energy.

For his part, HE Minister of Oil and Gas in the Government of National Unity of Libya Khalifa Abdulsadiq stated that most forecasts indicate oil and gas will continue to supply no less than half of the world's energy needs. Therefore, efforts to marginalize or eliminate fossil fuels are neither realistic nor sustainable, and in fact pose a threat to the global economy.

He highlighted the role of natural gas as a cornerstone in achieving a balanced energy transition, noting that according to GECF projections, natural gas will account for approximately 26% of global energy supply by 2050.

However, he underlined, achieving this requires strong policy frameworks, long-term investment, and sustained international support for the role of natural gas in achieving global sustainable development. Expanding cooperation between energy-producing and consuming countries is essential to ensure stability, predictability, and confidence in global energy markets.

Meanwhile, HE GECF Secretary General Eng. Mohamed Hamel explained that the world today faces a complex interplay of challenges, ranging from persistent energy poverty and economic disparity to geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, trade crises, and the need for environmental sustainability.

He stated that amid these undeniable risks, natural gas stands as a beacon of stability, being a clean, reliable, affordable, and flexible energy source that fuels sustainable development and enhances energy security.

He noted that global gas consumption reached an all-time high in 2024, contributing 40% to the incremental growth in global primary energy demand, the highest share among hydrocarbon sources.

Looking ahead, he noted that the demand for natural gas is expected to grow by 1.6% this year and by 32% by mid-century.

The ministerial meeting addressed a number of issues central to the Forum's mission, particularly regarding the role of natural gas in the ongoing transition to low-carbon energy.

GECF is a coalition of the world's leading gas-exporting nations, aiming to establish an effective dialogue mechanism between producers and consumers to ensure stability and security in the global natural gas markets. (QNA)