ALGIERS – Thursday, 26 January 2023 (APS) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad signed Thursday an agreement with the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) to host the headquarters of the Gas Research Institute (GRI) in Algiers.
The convention was signed at the headquarters of the Ministry by the Acting Director General of Protocols of the Ministry, Omar Boufedji, and the Secretary General of GECF, Mohamed Hamel, in the presence of the Secretary General of the Ministry of Energy and Mines, Abdelkrim Aouissi.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad, Amar Belani said that Algeria as a founding member of the GECF “has the honor of hosting this institute that will work to find effective and innovative technological solutions to strengthen the place of natural gas in the energy transition process.”
“Hosting the headquarters of GRI in Algeria comes as a sign of recognition and confidence in the country and the pioneering role of Algeria in strengthening dialogue and cohesion between member countries through its efforts to make the Forum an active organization on the international scene,” he continued.
The Secretary General of the GECF said this convention is part of the implementation of the decision of member countries to expand their cooperation in the field of technology through the establishment of the Gas Research Institute as a framework for scientific cooperation to exchange information, support innovation and share expertise, skills and training.
The Gas Research Institute will be “a platform for cooperation in the field of technology and an effective mechanism for developing partnerships with research centers and universities in member countries and related centers around the world,” he stated.
Recalling the unanimity on the choice of Algeria to host the headquarters of the institute, Hamel said it “is a recognition of the valuable and active role of Algeria in the GECF and its mastery of advanced techniques related to the exploitation of natural gas, especially since Algeria has been a pioneer in the field of natural gas since 1964 and has mastered the production chains.”
In his speech, the Secretary-General focused on the importance of natural gas in the global economy, given that the global demand for natural gas will grow by 36% by 2050.
The global energy mix will increase from 23% currently to 26% in 2050, he said.