Algeria|Gas Exporting Countries Forum: Algiers Declaration

The seventh summit of Heads of State and Government of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum

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Algiers Declaration: Natural gas for a secure and sustainable energy future

02 March 2024

Algiers

People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria

We, the Heads of State and Government of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, in response to the invitation of His Excellency the President of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, met in the historic city of Algiers on the second day of March 2024, on the occasion of the seventh summit of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, in the spirit of Solidarity and cooperation.

First, we mention: Declarations emanating from the previous summits of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, held in Doha, State of Qatar, in 2011, Moscow, Russian Federation, in 2013, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, in 20215, and Santacruz de la Sierra, State of Bolivia , in 2022.

Secondly, we emphasize: The absolute and permanent sovereign rights of member states over their natural gas resources,

Our commitment to the goals of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum and our determination to strengthen the role of the Forum by focusing on its contribution to the security, justice and sustainability of energy in the world.

We strive to effectively manage and encourage the use of natural gas resources in member states, with the aim of promoting sustainable development that benefits producers and consumers alike.

The importance of cooperation and coordination among member states to develop research, innovation and transfer of knowledge and technologies related to natural gas, in addition to exchanging best practices and building capabilities,

We support a strong and meaningful dialogue between producers and consumers as well as other relevant stakeholders, with the aim of ensuring that both supply and demand are secured and that market stability is enhanced and defended so that natural gas markets are open, transparent, barrier-free and without discrimination.

Third: We acknowledge: The fundamental role of natural gas in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, meeting the growing energy needs in the world, and ensuring global access for all to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy.

The contributions of environmentally friendly natural gas to confronting the challenges posed by climate change and its importance in achieving just, equitable, regular, comprehensive and sustainable energy transfers, taking into account national circumstances, capabilities and priorities, and that economic growth, social progress and environmental protection are the pillars.

The three aspects of sustainable development that are interconnected and supportive of each other, The risks and challenges faced by the natural gas market resulting from the geopolitical and economic situation, especially in terms of physical flows of gas, market operating rules, contractual arrangements, the flow of sustainable investments, and the safety of sensitive facilities for natural gas.

It is extremely important to ensure demand for natural gas and establish transparent and non-discriminatory legal and regulatory frameworks, in addition to predictable energy, trade, fiscal and environmental policies in gas importing and transit countries.

The need to adopt innovative practices and scientifically oriented research to strengthen the important role of natural gas in improving access to energy and reducing energy poverty, The important role of natural gas in the value chain of the petrochemical and chemical industry in general, in addition to a wide range of final consumption markets essential for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including the fertilizer industry to ensure global food security and eliminate famine.

The urgent need to ensure demand and secure supplies, and for open and transparent international cooperation to protect sensitive natural gas installations and enhance resilience in the face of natural disasters, technological accidents and human-caused threats, including, but not limited to The clever use of information and communications technologies.

Fourth: We renew: a. Our support to all countries in their tireless fight against energy poverty and in their determination to achieve prosperity for their people, as well as in exercising their basic rights to develop their energy resources,

B. Our condemnation of all unilateral economic restrictions taken without the prior approval of the United Nations Security Council and any extraterritorial application of national laws and regulations against member states of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum that negatively affect the development and trade of natural gas and pose a threat to the security of natural gas supplies.

C. Our concern about the recurring fluctuations in demand for natural gas, which negatively affect global economic performance, and our determination to work with all parties to achieve balanced and reliable markets for natural gas,

D. The importance of medium- and long-term natural gas contracts, fair and stable natural gas prices, and permanent investments in the field of natural gas to enhance energy security and support the development of resilient energy systems.

Fifth: We express : We are determined to strengthen our cooperation with the aim of maintaining the reliability and resilience of natural gas systems, providing efficient and reliable supplies of natural gas and expanding the use of natural gas for sustainable development and mitigating and adapting to climate change. Our call for timely investment in order to stabilize the market, unhindered flow of financial resources, access to technology and transfer of knowledge in a non-discriminatory manner.

We warmly welcome the signing of the headquarters agreement for the Gas Research Institute of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, located in Algiers, We are determined to promote innovative technologies for natural gas and related industries, through the Gas Research Institute, for the benefit of member states of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum.

We reject any use of climate change as a justification for implementing measures that hinder investments in natural gas projects and for introducing any means of arbitrary discrimination or any disguised restrictions that directly violate the rules of international trade, Our strong support for the aspirations and good endeavors of African countries in addressing energy poverty, confronting challenges related to access to energy, and promoting sustainable, just and comprehensive social and economic development while protecting the environment, in line with the United Nations Development Agenda for 2030 and the African Union’s Agenda for 2063.

We reject any artificial interference in natural gas markets, including attempts to influence price-setting mechanisms and risk management functions in the markets, in addition to politically motivated price caps, which only exacerbate the restrictions on markets and discourage the investments necessary to meet the growing global demand for energy ,

We reject the unilateral application of unprecedented and justified tax procedures and measures under the threat of ensuring the security of energy supplies for some, at the expense of the rules of natural gas markets, which may threaten to exacerbate the imbalances at the expense of peoples living in fragile situations.

We affirm our common will to:

1. Promoting natural gas as an abundant, available, flexible and reliable energy source, in addition to harnessing and developing natural gas technologies that are more environmentally friendly, effective and sustainable,

2. Advocating for wider use of natural gas in domestic and international markets, as a strategic tool in particular, to combat energy poverty and achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including, giving natural gas a leadership position as a pivotal source of energy for a just, comprehensive and prosperous future. , ensuring that no one is left behind

3. Contributing to the inclusion of natural gas as an environmentally sustainable natural resource in the fight against climate change and regulations related to investment and collection, the international banking system and global trade,

4. Promoting the increasing use of natural gas in maritime and land transportation, and developing the necessary infrastructure to provide it in an effective and cost-effective manner for all consumers.

5. Supporting the fundamental role of long-term natural gas contracts in addition to pricing natural gas based on the oil and petroleum products index to ensure the stability of investments in developing natural gas resources.

6. Strengthening the status of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum by promoting its international presence, attracting new members, encouraging partnerships, facilitating dialogue between producers and consumers, and expanding cooperation with relevant international organizations and bodies,

7. Support the continued development of the Forum’s expertise and mechanisms in joint projects, with the aim of strengthening the role of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum as a leading platform for dialogue and cooperation in natural gas affairs.

8. Taking advantage of the Gas Research Institute of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum to expand cooperation in, among other things, natural gas technologies, scientifically oriented research, and capacity building for innovation,

9. Emphasizing the critical importance of preserving sensitive natural gas facilities, including cross-border infrastructure, to ensure their reliability and resilience, in addition to strengthening international cooperation in reducing risks, preventing and protecting against natural disasters, technological accidents, and human-caused threats, including attacks.

Deliberate and cunning use of information and communications technologies as the situation requires.

The heads of state and government welcomed the joining of the Republic of Mozambique, the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, and the Republic of Senegal to the forum, stressing the collective endeavor of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum to enhance cooperation and dialogue in the field of energy.

The heads of state and government of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum expressed their appreciation to His Excellency the President of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, for his wise leadership of the seventh summit of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, as well as the government of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria and its people for their generous hospitality and the distinguished arrangements made.