View source for Gas Exporting Countries Forum

{{Short description|Intergovernmental organization}}
{{Infobox Geopolitical organization
| conventional_long_name =  Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF)
| linking_name = the Gas Exporting Countries Forum
| symbol_type = Logo
| image_symbol = GECF Logo.jpg
| symbol_width = 150px
| image_map = GasOPEC.PNG
| map_caption = Members (blue) and observers (orange) of the Gas-Exporting Countries Forum.
| org_type = Trade forum
| membership_type = Members<ref>[https://www.gecf.org/gecfmembers/gecf-countries GECF Members & Observers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151108043205/http://www.gecf.org/gecfmembers/gecf-countries |date=2015-11-08 }} GECF</ref>
| membership =
 {{collapsible list
  |titlestyle = background:transparent;text-align:left;font-weight:normal;
  |title = 11 states
  |{{flagcountry|Algeria}} |{{flagcountry|Bolivia}} |{{flagcountry|Egypt}}
  |{{flagcountry|Equatorial Guinea}} |{{flagcountry|Iran}} |{{flagcountry|Libya}}
  |{{flagcountry|Nigeria}} |{{flagcountry|Qatar}} |{{flagcountry|Russia}}
  |{{nowrap|{{flagcountry|Trinidad and Tobago}}}} |{{flagcountry|Venezuela}} |<hr/>
 }}
 {{collapsible list
  |titlestyle = background:transparent;text-align:left;font-weight:normal;
  |title = 8 observers
  |{{flagcountry|Angola}} |{{flagcountry|Azerbaijan}} |{{flagcountry|Iraq}} |{{flagcountry|Malaysia}}  |
{{flagcountry|Mozambique}} |
{{flagcountry|Norway}} |{{flagcountry|Peru}} |{{flagcountry|United Arab Emirates}}
}}
| established = [[Tehran]], [[Iran]]
| established_event1 = Forum 
| established_date1 = May 20, 2001 
| admin_center_type = Headquarters
| admin_center = {{nowrap|[[Doha]], [[Qatar]]}}
| languages_type = Official language
| languages = [[English language|English]]
| leader_title1 = {{nowrap|Secretary General}}
| leader_name1 = {{nowrap|Mohammad Hamel}}
| established_event2 = Statute
| established_date2 = December 23, 2008
| area_magnitude =
| area_km2 = 26965287.87
| area_sq_mi = 
| population_estimate = 599,861,442
| population_density_km2 = {{#expr: 599861442 / 26965287.87 round 1}}
| official_website = {{URL|https://www.gecf.org/}}
}}
[[File:Participants in the 7th meeting of the Gas Exporting Countries' Forum in Moscow.jpg|thumb|[[Dmitry Medvedev]] and the participants in the seventh ministerial meeting of the Gas Exporting Countries' Forum (GECF), [[Moscow Kremlin]], 2008.]]
[[File:The Second Gas Summit 1.jpg|thumb|[[Vladimir Putin]] and the participants in the meeting of the heads of state and government of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), [[Moscow Kremlin]], 2013.]]
[[File:Third GECF summit in Tehran 50.jpg|thumb|[[Hassan Rouhani]] chairs the [[Third GECF summit]], 22 May 2015]]
The '''Gas Exporting Countries Forum''' ('''GECF''') is an [[intergovernmental organization]] currently comprising 19 Member Countries of the world's leading [[natural gas]] producers: [[Algeria]], [[Bolivia]], [[Egypt]], [[Equatorial Guinea]], [[Iran]], [[Libya]], [[Nigeria]], [[Qatar]], [[Russia]], [[Trinidad and Tobago]], and [[Venezuela]] are members and [[Angola]], [[Azerbaijan]], [[Iraq]], [[Mozambique]], [[Malaysia]], [[Norway]], [[Peru]] and the [[United Arab Emirates]] are observers. GECF members together control over 71% of the world's natural proven gas reserves, 44% of its marketed production, 53% of the pipeline, and 57% of the [[liquefied natural gas]] (LNG) exports across the globe.<ref>{{cite web|date=2021-01-13|title=Restored GCC unity to bring stability to energy markets: GECF|url=https://gulf-times.com/story/682400|access-date=2021-03-04|website=Gulf-Times|language=ar}}</ref> It is headquartered in [[Doha]], Qatar.

== History ==
The idea of creating a forum as an official organization was first discussed at the meeting in 2001 in [[Tehran]], but it was legally instituted after the idea was supported by Russia. [[Vladimir Putin]], on a visit to Qatar, one of the largest gas-producing countries, reached an agreement with the [[Emir]] [[Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani]] to coordinate activities in the gas sector.<ref>{{cite web|title=Alexey Miller and Emir of Qatar Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani discuss world energy market development trends|url=https://www.gazprom.com/press/news/2010/november/article105062/|access-date=2021-03-11|website=www.gazprom.com|language=en}}</ref>

Until 2007, the GECF was a platform for the exchange of experience in the gas sector, which did not have a permanent leadership, budget and headquarters. But within the framework of this platform, high-level meetings were regularly held. At the 6th Ministerial Meeting of the GECF in [[Doha]], it was decided to create a working group under the leadership of the [[Ministry of Energy (Russia)|Ministry of Industry and Energy]] of Russia to coordinate actions to form a full-fledged organization. This step was perceived as the inevitability of creating a gas analogue of [[OPEC]]. As a result, the agreement on the establishment of the organization with the preservation of the name of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum was signed a year later on December 23, 2008 at the 7th Ministerial Meeting in Moscow.

Since 2008, the Forum has had three governing tools: the Ministerial Meeting (held once a year), the Executive Board Meeting and the Secretariat.

On December 9, 2009 the Secretary General of the GECF was elected vice-president of "[[Stroytransgaz]]" Leonid Bokhanovskiy,<ref>{{Cite news|date=2009-12-09|title=Gas group elects Russia's Bokhanovsky as sec-gen|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/gecf-secgen-russia-idUSGEE5B80LV20091209|access-date=2021-03-11}}</ref> whose candidacy was put forward for a vote by Russia. November 13, 2011, Leonid Bokhanovskiy was re-elected as Secretary General of the Forum.

On November 15, 2011, a declaration was adopted at the first GECF summit in Doha.<ref>{{Cite book |editor=Jonathan P Stern |title=The Pricing of Internationally Traded Gas |author=Laura El-Katiri |author2=Anouk Honoré |chapter=The Gas Exporting Countries' Forum: Global or Regional Cartelization? |chapter-url=https://www.oxfordenergy.org/wpcms/wp-content/uploads/Chapter%2013.pdf |via=The Oxford Institute for Energy Studies}}</ref> It confirmed the importance of natural gas for the world economy, determined the course for deepening the coordination of exporting countries and the need to establish fair gas prices and the principle of balanced distribution of risks for gas producers and consumers.

In November 2013, the Iranian diplomat [[Mohammad Hossein Adeli|Seyed Mohammad Hossein Adeli]], was elected Secretary General of the GECF<ref>{{cite web|title=FarsNews Agency Secretary-General: GECF Should Bring Other Gas Exporters to Circle|url=https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/13920813001205/en/Arcive|access-date=2021-03-11|website=www.farsnews.ir}}</ref> and in November 2015 he was re-elected for a second term.

At the third summit in 2015, the GECF presented a forecast for the development of the gas market until 2050. According to GECF analysts, the key to the successful development of the global gas industry is the growth of the economy and population. Analysts have determined that by 2050 the population will grow by 2.2 billion people and reach 9.8 billion. The main trend for the gas industry: energy will become more affordable, and this will provide almost 30% of additional demand. However, in 2020, analysts announced that due to the minimum oil price and the consequences of the pandemic, this forecast could be revised. According to GECF experts, the [[Asia-Pacific]] region, [[North America]] and [[Middle East|the Middle East]] will become the regions-drivers of demand. The growth of future demand will be 39%, 24% and 13%, respectively. Demand in Europe will grow until 2030, and then there will be a gradual decline. This gas market forecast until 2050 is updated annually.<ref>{{cite web|title=GECF Global Gas Outlook 2050|url=https://www.gecf.org/insights/global-gas-outlook?d=2021&p=1|access-date=2021-03-11|website=GECF|language=en}}</ref>

In January 2018, Yuri Sentyurin became the 3rd General Secretary of the GECF.<ref>{{cite web|title=Award Detail - Al-Attiyah Foundation|url=https://www.abhafoundation.org/|access-date=2021-03-11|website=www.abhafoundation.org}}</ref> In 2019 the members of the GECF countries joined [[Angola]] and [[Malaysia]] in 2020. Also, prospective members participating [[Mozambique]], [[Tanzania]], [[Senegal]], [[Mauritania]], [[Turkmenistan]], [[Uzbekistan]].

In 2021, GECF sent an official submission to the United Nations in the wake of the Glasgow climate talks where GECF complained that gas exporters were a victim of "cancel culture."<ref>{{cite web|title=Top Gas Exporters Say They're Victims of 'Cancel Culture'|url=https://gizmodo.com/top-gas-exporters-say-theyre-victims-of-cancel-culture-1848073862|access-date=2021-11-18|website=Gizmodo|date=17 November 2021 |language=en-us}}</ref>

== Gas OPEC ==

Since the establishment of the GECF in 2001 there has always been speculation that some of the world's largest producers of natural gas, in particular Russia and Iran, intend to create a gas cartel equivalent to [[OPEC]] which would set quotas and prices. The idea of a gas OPEC was first floated by Russian President [[Vladimir Putin]] and backed by Kazakh President [[Nursultan Nazarbaev]] in 2002. In May 2006 [[Gazprom]] deputy chairman [[Alexander Medvedev]] threatened that Russia would create "an alliance of gas suppliers that will be more influential than OPEC" if Russia did not get its way in energy negotiations with Europe.<ref name="rferl">{{cite news|author=Roman Kupchinsky|date=2006-08-14|title=Russia: Algeria Deal Revives Talk Of Gas Cartel|publisher=RFE/RL|url=https://www.rferl.org/content/article/1070561.html|url-status=live|access-date=2008-12-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081212121357/http://www.rferl.org/content/Article/1070561.html|archive-date=2008-12-12}}</ref>  Iranian officials have explicitly expressed strong support for a gas cartel and held official talks with Russia.<ref name="cnn">{{cite news|date=2007-02-02|title=Russia, Iran in talks to create natural gas organization|agency=CNN|url=https://money.cnn.com/2007/02/02/news/international/natural_gas/index.htm?|url-status=live|access-date=2008-12-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509145757/http://money.cnn.com/2007/02/02/news/international/natural_gas/index.htm|archive-date=2008-05-09}}</ref> Cartel speculation was again raised when the ministers met on 9 April 2007.<ref name="reuters1">{{cite news|author=Barbara Lewis, Simon Webb|date=2007-04-09|title=Gas club seeks more clout, but not yet an OPEC|publisher=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idUSL0920522920070409|url-status=live|access-date=2007-04-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080215010829/http://www.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idUSL0920522920070409|archive-date=2008-02-15}}</ref>  The 6th Ministerial Meeting of the GECF established an expert group, chaired by Russia, to study how to strengthen the GECF. According to the Algerian Energy and Mines Minister [[Chakib Khelil]], this mean that in the long term the GECF will move toward becoming a gas OPEC.<ref name="reuters1" />  On 11 December 2009, Russia's Energy Minister [[Sergey Shmatko]] stated: "Today we can speak about gas OPEC as a fully fledged international organization. By a unanimous decision a Russian national was elected its secretary general. This is to show that member countries expect Russia to use its political weight to promote it."{{citation needed|date=December 2020}}

Creation of the Gas OPEC was one of the topics of the first GECF summit. However, some GECF's members are concerned over the gas exports to be politicized.<ref name="vor141111">{{cite news|last=Fedoruk|first=Vladimir|date=2011-11-14|title=A gas OPEC to dominate GECF summit in Doha, Russia not present|work=[[Voice of Russia]]|url=https://english.ruvr.ru/2011/11/14/60354788.html|url-status=dead|access-date=2011-11-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111116021610/http://english.ruvr.ru/2011/11/14/60354788.html|archive-date=2011-11-16}}</ref> GECF generally refrains from coordinating production rates.<ref>{{cite web|date=6 April 2020|title=Feature: Unfettered global natural gas market a sign of the times {{!}} Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide|url=https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/feature-unfettered-global-natural-gas-market-a-sign-of-the-times/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409101939/https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/feature-unfettered-global-natural-gas-market-a-sign-of-the-times/|archive-date=9 April 2020|website=www.hellenicshippingnews.com|quote=There is no history of coordinated action on production and the closest thing to a "Gas OPEC" — the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) — has repeatedly ruled out joint intervention in the market}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=2 April 2020|title=Feature: Unfettered global natural gas market a sign of the times {{!}} S&P Global Platts|url=https://www.spglobal.com/platts/en/market-insights/latest-news/natural-gas/040220-feature-unfettered-global-gas-market-a-sign-of-the-times|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412045743/https://www.spglobal.com/platts/en/market-insights/latest-news/natural-gas/040220-feature-unfettered-global-gas-market-a-sign-of-the-times|archive-date=12 April 2020|website=www.spglobal.com}}</ref>

According to GECF General Secretary Yuri Sentyurin, the issue of creating the creation of a "gas OPEC " is regularly raised at ministerial meetings. But unlike the oil market, there is no single market and pricing on the gas market. In addition, the forum was originally conceived as a discussion platform, therefore, without changing the Charter, it is premature to talk about practical instruments by analogy with OPEC.<ref>{{cite web|title=OPEC : OPEC, GECF hold first high-level meeting|url=https://www.opec.org/opec_web/en/press_room/6209.htm|access-date=2021-03-11|website=www.opec.org}}</ref>

== Organisational structure ==
The highest body of the GECF is a ministerial meeting. In between of ministerial meetings, the work is organized through the Secretariat, headquartered in Doha, Qatar. The 2009 chairman of the GECF was [[Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah]] and the vice chairman was [[Chakib Khelil]].<ref name="arabian">{{cite news|author=Kevin Baxter|date=2009-07-02|title=Qatar energy chief says UAE to join gas forum|work=ArabianOilandGas.com|publisher=ITP Business Publishing Ltd.|url=https://www.arabianoilandgas.com/article-5794-qatar_energy_chief_says_uae_to_join_gas_forum/|url-status=dead|access-date=2009-07-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090725041329/http://www.arabianoilandgas.com/article-5794-qatar_energy_chief_says_uae_to_join_gas_forum/|archive-date=2009-07-25}}</ref><ref name="bloomberg300609">{{cite news|author=Ayesha Daya, Robert Tuttle|date=2009-06-30|title=Gas Producers Count on Oil-Linked Contracts in Qatar|publisher=Bloomberg|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=ao3fGMSgFHO0|url-status=live|access-date=2009-07-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120408100348/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=ao3fGMSgFHO0|archive-date=2012-04-08}}</ref> The Secretary-General is Mohammad Hamel.

===Secretaries-General===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Name
! Country
! Service Period
|-
|Leonid Bokhanovskiy
|{{flag|Russia}}
|9 December 2009 – 1 January 2014 (2 Terms)
|-
|[[Mohammad Hossein Adeli]]
|{{flag|Iran}}
|1 January 2014 – 12 January 2018 (2 Terms)
|-
|Yury Sentyurin
|{{flag|Russia}}
|12 January 2018 – 31 December 2022 (2 Terms)
|-
|Mohammad Hamel
|{{flag|Algeria}}
|1 January 2022 – present
|}

===Ministerial Meetings===
This meeting of senior government officials in the energy sector is the supreme authority of the Forum. The GECF has had ministerial meetings since 2001:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gecf.org/events/list/ministerial-meetings?p=1 |title=Ministerial Meetings of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum |access-date=2017-11-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107015012/https://www.gecf.org/events/list/ministerial-meetings?p=1 |archive-date=2017-11-07 |url-status=live }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|- "
! colspan="2" | Location !! Year
|-
| colspan="2" | [[Tehran]], [[Iran]] || 2001
|-
| colspan="2" | [[Algiers]], [[Algeria]] || 2002
|-
| colspan="2" | [[Doha]], [[Qatar]] || 2003
|-
| colspan="2" | [[Cairo]], [[Egypt]] || 2004
|-
| colspan="2" | [[Port of Spain]], [[Trinidad and Tobago]] || 2005
|-
| colspan="2" | [[Doha]], [[Qatar]] || 2007
|-
| colspan="2" | [[Moscow]], [[Russia]] || 2008
|-
| colspan="2" | [[Doha]], [[Qatar]] || 2009 (June)
|-
| colspan="2" | [[Doha]], [[Qatar]] || 2009 (December)
|-
| colspan="2" | [[Oran]], [[Algeria]] || 2010 (April)
|-
| colspan="2" | [[Doha]], [[Qatar]] || 2010 (December)
|-
| colspan="2" | [[Cairo]], [[Egypt]] || 2011 (June)
|-
| colspan="2" | [[Doha]], [[Qatar]] || 2011 (November)
|-
| colspan="2" | [[Malabo]], [[Equatorial Guinea]] || 2012 
|-
| colspan="2" | [[Tehran]], [[Iran]]<ref name=mees>{{cite news|title=Iran's Oil Minister Appointed GECF Head|url=http://www.mees.com/en/articles/8276-irans-oil-minister-apointed-gecf-head|access-date=13 September 2013|work=Mees|date=21 August 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130913153736/http://www.mees.com/en/articles/8276-irans-oil-minister-apointed-gecf-head|archive-date=13 September 2013}}</ref> || 2013
|-
| colspan="2" | [[Doha]], [[Qatar]] || 2014
|-
| colspan="2" | [[Tehran]], [[Iran]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gecf.org/events/17th-ministerial-meeting-of-the-gas-exporting-countries-forum |title=17th Ministerial Meeting |access-date=2017-11-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116033655/https://www.gecf.org/events/17th-ministerial-meeting-of-the-gas-exporting-countries-forum |archive-date=2017-11-16 |url-status=live }}</ref> || 2015
|-
| colspan="2" | [[Doha]], [[Qatar]] || 2016
|-
| colspan="2" | [[Moscow]], [[Russia]] || 2017
|-
| colspan="2" | [[Port of Spain]], [[Trinidad and Tobago]] || 2018
|-
| colspan="2" | [[Moscow]], [[Russia]] || 2019
|-
| colspan="2" | [[Algiers]], [[Algeria]] (via videoconference) || 2020
|}

===Heads of State and Government Summits===
The Gas Summit is a meeting of Heads of State and Government of countries Members of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum. 
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Meeting
! Country
! Year
|-
| I
|{{flag|Qatar}}, [[Doha]]
| 15 November 2011
|-
| II
| {{flag|Russia}},<ref name=vor151111>{{cite news
 | url = https://english.ruvr.ru/2011/11/15/60446073.html
 | title = Russia ready to host 2nd GECF summit
 | agency = [[Information Telegraph Agency of Russia|TASS]]
 | work = [[Voice of Russia]]
 | date = 2011-11-15
 | access-date = 2011-11-18
 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111116190540/http://english.ruvr.ru/2011/11/15/60446073.html
 | archive-date = 2011-11-16
 | url-status = dead
 }}</ref> [[Moscow]]
|1 July 2013<ref name="ptv">{{cite web |url=https://www.gecf.org/events/third-gecf-gas-summit |title=GECF |access-date=2017-11-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116024955/https://www.gecf.org/events/third-gecf-gas-summit |archive-date=2017-11-16 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[Third GECF summit|III]]
| {{flag|Iran}}, [[Tehran]]
| 23 November 2015
|-
| IV
| {{flag|Bolivia}}, [[Santa Cruz de la Sierra]]
| 24 November 2017<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gecf.org/events/fourth-gecf-gas-summit |title=Fourth GECF Gas Summit |access-date=2017-08-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815064435/https://www.gecf.org/events/fourth-gecf-gas-summit |archive-date=2017-08-15 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| V
| {{flag|Equatorial Guinea}}, [[Malabo]]
| 29 November 2019<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gecf.org/events/5th-gas-summit-of-heads-of-state-and-government-of-the-gecf-member-countries |title=5th Gas Summit of Heads of State and Government of the GECF Member Countries |access-date=2021-03-04 }}</ref>
|-
|VI
| {{flag|Qatar}}, [[Doha]]
|18 November 2021
|-
|VII
| {{flag|Algeria}}, [[Algiers]]
|02 March 2024<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gecf.org/7th-gecf-gas-summit-in-algiers.aspx |title=7th GECF Summit in Algiers |access-date=2024-03-02 }}</ref>
|}
Holding the GECF's summit was decided at the 10th ministerial meeting in [[Oran]] in 2010.

The first GECF's summit was held in Doha on 15 November 2011, under patronage of [[Emir]] [[Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani]], following the thirteenth ministerial meeting held at the same place on 13 November 2011.<ref name="gulf151111">
{{cite news
 | url = https://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=470095&version=1&template_id=48&parent_id=28
 | title = GECF gas summit focuses on stable supplies, markets
 | newspaper = Gulf Times
 | date = 2011-11-15
 | access-date = 2011-11-15
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20111115143317/http://gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=470095&version=1&template_id=48&parent_id=28
 |archive-date = 2011-11-15
 }}
</ref>  Two main issues which were discussed at the summit, were natural gas prices and a common approach to the natural gas market.<ref name="dw171111">{{cite news
 | url = https://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,15539025,00.html
 | title = Global 'gas cartel' is a long way off, experts say
 | agency = [[Deutsche Welle]]
 | first = Insa
 | last = Wrede
 | date = 2011-11-17
 | access-date = 2011-11-18
 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111118132533/http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,15539025,00.html
 | archive-date = 2011-11-18
 | url-status = live
 }}</ref>  It was agreed on the summit that the price of gas used to generate electricity is too low and the gap between prices for gas and [[crude oil]] need to be narrowed. The linking of gas prices to the [[oil price]] was considered. However, the GECF will not set output limits for its members.<ref name="Bloomberg">{{cite news
 | url = https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-11-15/natural-gas-exporters-seek-high-prices-as-they-cooperate-on-supply.html
 | title = Gas Exporters Seek 'High' Prices as They Cooperate on Supply, Projects
 | agency = [[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg]]
 | date = 2011-11-15
 | access-date = 2011-11-18
 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111117005329/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-11-15/natural-gas-exporters-seek-high-prices-as-they-cooperate-on-supply.html
 | archive-date = 2011-11-17
 | url-status = live
 }}</ref>  The [[final communique]] issued was the [https://web.archive.org/web/20120523135016/https://portal.opec.mop.ir/Documents/BAYANIE-GECF-LATIN.pdf Doha Declaration], which read that GECF members "recognized the importance of long-term gas contracts to achieve a balanced risk sharing mechanism between producers and consumers" and "acknowledge the need to reach a fair price for natural gas based on gas to oil/oil products prices indexation with the objective of an oil and gas price convergence ..."<ref name="gulf161111">
{{cite news
 | url = https://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=470366&version=1&template_id=57&parent_id=56
 | title = Doha summit urges fair price for gas
 | newspaper = [[Gulf Times]]
 | first = Pratap 
| last = John
 | date = 2011-11-16
 | access-date = 2011-11-18
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20111116160100/http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=470366&version=1&template_id=57&parent_id=56
 |archive-date = 2011-11-16
 }}
</ref><ref name="MENAFN">
{{cite news
 | url = https://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story_s.asp?storyid=1093456841
 | title = First Summit of Gas Exporting Countries Forum Concludes in Doha
 | agency = MENAFN
 | date = 2011-11-16
 | access-date = 2011-11-18}}
</ref>  Russian president [[Dmitry Medvedev]] made a statement calling the summit "an important event, which marked a new stage in the development of the global energy sector and the gas sector in particular."<ref name="vor151111b">{{cite news
 | url = https://english.ruvr.ru/2011/11/15/60432948.html
 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130417140426/http://english.ruvr.ru/2011/11/15/60432948.html
 | url-status = dead
 | archive-date = 2013-04-17
 | title = Medvedev welcomes 1st GESF summit in Doha
 | agency = [[Information Telegraph Agency of Russia|TASS]]
 | work = [[Voice of Russia]]
 | date = 2011-11-15
 | access-date = 2011-11-18
 }}</ref>

The 2nd Gas Summit was held in Moscow on July 1, 2013.  The key outcomes of the 2nd GECF Summit were reflected in the Moscow Declaration: "Natural gas: the answer to the 21st century sustainable development challenges."<ref>{{cite web|title=GECF Moscow Declaration|url=https://www.gecf.org/_resources/files/pages/about/gecf-moscow-declaration.pdf}}</ref> The final communique stresses the importance of the fundamental principles of long-term contracts that guarantee the safety of investments for producers and preservation of prices for consumers.<ref>{{cite web|title=Putin Pushes Russian Agenda at Global Gas Summit {{!}} Voice of America - English|url=https://www.voanews.com/europe/putin-pushes-russian-agenda-global-gas-summit|access-date=2021-03-09|website=www.voanews.com|language=en}}</ref>

The 3rd GECF Summit was held 23 November 2015 in [[Tehran]]. The main topics were the transfer of expertise of members countries and pricing mechanism for natural gas.<ref>{{cite web|title=Third GECF Gas Summit|url=https://www.gecf.org/events/third-gecf-gas-summit|access-date=2021-04-15|website=GECF|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=2014-12-30|title=Tehran to host 3rd GECF summit in 2015|url=https://en.irna.ir/news/81443598/Tehran-to-host-3rd-GECF-summit-in-2015|access-date=2021-04-15|website=IRNA English|language=en}}</ref> The participants also called for cooperation in ensuring the security of natural gas supplies to world markets.
{{Main|Third GECF summit}}

The 4th GECF Summit convened in Santa Cruz, Bolivia on November 24, 2017. The outcome of the Summit was the Declaration of Santa Cruz de la Sierra.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Declaration of Santa Cruz de la Sierra|url=https://www.gecf.org/_resources/files/events/fourth-gecf-gas-summit/gecf-santa-cruz-declaration---4th-gas-summit.pdf}}</ref> Basic principles: promoting gas as a reliable, secure, clean source of energy. Attracting investment to the global natural gas market. Fair price for natural gas considering its energy efficiency and environmental benefits.

As the outcome of the 5th Gas Exporting Countries Forum in [[Malabo]] The Declaration of Malabo was published. It stressed the importance of the role of natural gas for African countries. The GECF members have specified the terms of contracts between producers and consumers. To ensure that the pricing associated with oil indexation serves the benefit of the member countries to ensure the implementation of their projects.<ref>{{cite web|last=Nongrum|first=Nonalynka|title=GECF summit launches Declaration of Malabo|url=http://www.oilreviewafrica.com/events/event-news/gecf-summit-launches-declaration-of-malabo|access-date=2021-03-08|website=Oil Review Africa|language=pl}}</ref>

The Sixth Gas Summit of Heads of State and Government of GECF Member Countries will convey in [[Doha]], Qatar on 18 November 2021.

== Membership ==
The members are Algeria, Bolivia, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Iran, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Russia, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela and Angola, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Norway, Peru and the United Arab Emirates are observers. Other countries like Turkmenistan,{{citation needed|date=August 2021}} Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Yemen have participated at different meetings.<ref name=arabian/><ref name=xinhua>{{cite news
 | url = https://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-12/24/content_10552504.htm
 | title = World gas producers approve charter for Doha-based forum
 | publisher = Xinhua
 | date = 2008-12-24
 | access-date = 2008-12-26
 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090110212911/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-12/24/content_10552504.htm
 | archive-date = 2009-01-10
 | url-status = dead
 }}</ref><ref name=bbc1>{{cite news
 | title=Putin says 'cheap gas era' ending
 | publisher=BBC
 | date=2008-12-23
 | url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7796806.stm
 | access-date=2008-12-23
 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081223233826/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7796806.stm
 | archive-date=2008-12-23
 | url-status=live
 }}</ref><ref name=rferl2>{{cite news
 | url = http://www.rferl.org/content/NaturalGas_Producers_Meeting_In_Moscow_To_Finalize_Forum/1362739.html
 | title = Russia Says Gas Forum Will Not Be OPEC-Like Cartel
 | publisher = RFE/RL
 | date = 2008-12-23
 | access-date = 2008-12-23
 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090114094206/http://www.rferl.org/content/NaturalGas_Producers_Meeting_In_Moscow_To_Finalize_Forum/1362739.html
 | archive-date = 2009-01-14
 | url-status = live
 }}</ref> Yemen is interested to become members of the organisation.<ref name=bloomberg190410>
{{cite news
 | url = https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aVpnIgf_IE2k
 | title = Yemen in Talks to Join Gas Exporting Countries Forum
 | publisher = [[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg]]
 | author = Ahmed Rouaba
 | date = 2010-04-19
 | access-date = 2010-04-22}}
</ref>

Any gas exporting country can become a member, the full membership will be granted by the approval of at least three quarters of all members at the ministerial meeting.<ref name="xinhua" /> Also, to become an observer, a country can apply to the Secretariat. Such a resolution is adopted by a majority of three quarters of the members at the ministerial meeting. Observer members may attend ministerial plenary meetings and participate without the right to vote.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Members
! style="width:150px;"| Country
! style="width:150px;"| Region
! style="width:150px;"| Signed GECF<br />statute
|-
| {{flag|Algeria}}
| [[North Africa]]
| align=center |2008
|-
| {{flag|Bolivia}}
| [[South America]]
| align=center |2008
|-
| {{flag|Egypt}}
| [[North Africa]]
| align=center |2008
|-
| {{flag|Equatorial Guinea}}
| [[Central Africa]]
| align=center |2008
|-
| {{flag|Iran}}
| [[South Asia|Southern Asia]]
| align=center |2008
|-
| {{flag|Libya}}
| [[North Africa]]
| align=center |2008
|-
| {{flag|Nigeria}}
| [[West Africa]]
| align=center |2008
|-
| {{flag|Qatar}}
| [[West Asia]]
| align=center |2008
|-
| {{flag|Russia}}
| [[Eurasia]]
| align=center |2008
|-
| {{flag|Trinidad and Tobago}}
| [[South America]]
| align=center |2008
|-
| {{flag|UAE}}
| [[West Asia]]
| align=center |2012<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.arabianbusiness.com/uae-joins-gas-exporting-countries-forum-458037.html |title=UAE joins Gas Exporting Countries Forum - Energy, Industries, GCC, Energy, Energy - ArabianBusiness.com |access-date=2017-11-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116083956/https://www.arabianbusiness.com/uae-joins-gas-exporting-countries-forum-458037.html |archive-date=2017-11-16 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Venezuela}}
| [[South America]]
| align=center |2008
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Observers
|-
! style="width:150px;"| Country
! style="width:150px;"| Region
! style="width:150px;"| Signed GECF<br />statute
|-
| {{flag|Angola}}
| [[Central Africa]]
| align=center |2018<ref>{{cite web |url=https://energycapitalpower.com/2018/11/15/angola-joins-gecf/ |title=Angola Joins GECF |publisher=Energycapitalpower.com |date=2018-11-15 |access-date=2022-05-07}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Azerbaijan}}
| [[Central Asia]]
| align=center |2018
|-
| {{flag|Iraq}}
| [[MENA]]
| align=center |2009
|-
| {{flag|Mozambique}}
| [[Eastern Africa]]
| align=center |<ref>{{cite web
|url=https://www.gecf.org/countries/mozambique-republic-of-mozambique
|title=Mozambique - Republic of Mozambique}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Malaysia}}
| [[Asia-Pacific]]
| align=center |
|-
| {{flag|Norway}}
| [[Europe]]
| align=center |
|-
| {{flag|Peru}}
| [[South America]]
| align=center |2008
|-
| {{flag|United Arab Emirates}}
| [[MENA]]
| align=center |
|}

== See also ==
{{Portal|Energy}}
*[[Energy security]]
*[[Energy superpower]]
*[[Petrochemical Exporting Countries Forum]]

== References ==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== Bibliography ==
*{{Cite book
 |last= Hallouche |first= Hadi
 |title= The Gas Exporting Countries Forum: Is it really a Gas OPEC in the Making?
 |url= https://www.oxfordenergy.org/pdfs/NG13.pdf
 |date=June 2006
 |publisher= [[Oxford Institute for Energy Studies]]
 |isbn= 978-1-901795-50-9
 |access-date= 2008-12-26
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20090327021423/http://www.oxfordenergy.org/pdfs/NG13.pdf
 |archive-date = 2009-03-27
 }}
*{{Cite journal
 |last= Socor |first= Vladimir
 |title= A Russian-led "OPEC for Gas"? Design, Implications, Countermeasures
 |url= https://www.lfpr.lt/uploads/File/2008-20/Socor_ENG.pdf
 |journal = Lithuanian Foreign Policy Review
 |year = 2008
 |issue = 20
 |publisher= Foreign Policy Research Center
 |issn= 1392-5504
 |access-date= 2008-12-26
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20090327021421/http://www.lfpr.lt/uploads/File/2008-20/Socor_ENG.pdf
 |archive-date = 2009-03-27
 }}
*{{Cite book
|last= Flynn
|first=Chris
|author2=Dyer, Erin
|title= The International Comparative Legal Guide to: Gas Regulation 2008
|year= 2008
|pages=1–3
|publisher=Global Legal Group
|chapter= The Creation of a Gas Cartel v The Commoditisation of Gas
|chapter-url= https://www.iclg.co.uk/khadmin/Publications/pdf/1778.pdf
|access-date=2008-12-26}}

== External links ==
{{Commons}}
* [http://www.gecf.org/ GECF.org]
* [http://www.ensec.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=171:gas-exporting-countries-forum-the-russian-iranian-gas-cartel&catid=90:energysecuritydecember08&Itemid=334 Gas Exporting Countries Forum: The Russian-Iranian Gas Cartel]

{{Petroleum industry}}
{{Energy in Iran}}
{{Energy in Russia}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:2001 establishments in Iran]]
[[Category:Energy economics]]
[[Category:Energy policy]]
[[Category:Gas Exporting Countries Forum| ]]
[[Category:International energy organizations]]
[[Category:International trade organizations]]
[[Category:Intergovernmental organizations]]
[[Category:Intergovernmental commodity organizations|Gas]]
[[Category:Natural gas organizations]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 2001]]
[[Category:Organisations based in Doha]]