Moscow, October 26 (QNA) - The State of Qatar participated in the 28th Ministerial Meeting of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) held in Moscow.

The State of Qatar was represented at the meeting by HE Minister of State for Energy Affairs and President and CEO of QatarEnergy Saad Sherida Al Kaabi.

Speaking at the meeting, HE Minister of State for Energy Affairs called for the protection of energy infrastructure and shipping routes, stating: "It is critical that we work together to protect energy infrastructure during times of conflict, including energy routes and maritime shipping lanes, whose disruption has far-reaching implications for global trade and energy security."

HE Minister Al Kaabi cited the conflict in the Gulf region and the repeated attacks on energy facilities and assets across the region, which have severely curtailed shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, restricting the world's access to energy and other essential products.

"The State of Qatar itself was the target of several attacks on our energy production facilities. As a result, our production was halted, and our LNG vessels faced severe restrictions on their movement through regional shipping routes," His Excellency added.

Reaffirming Qatar's steadfast resolve to uphold its principles, HE Minister Al Kaabi said: "We, in the State of Qatar, strive to be a force for peace. We also remain firmly committed to playing an active and constructive role in providing the world with reliable energy supplies, particularly LNG."

His Excellency the Minister of State for Energy Affairs stressed that meeting the world's growing demand for natural gas requires significant and sustained investment across the entire gas value chain, supported by greater market certainty, fair access to financing, and long-term cooperation between producers and consumers to bring new supplies to market in a timely manner.

Concluding his remarks, HE Minister Al Kaabi said: "We have an important responsibility: to reaffirm the role of natural gas as a cornerstone of a diversified global energy mix and as a key enabler of a fair, realistic, and balanced energy transition. Natural gas is here to stay, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that its role remains firmly anchored in the global energy dialogue."

The 28th Ministerial Meeting of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum was held ahead of the 8th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum. (QNA)