GECF Summit Constructive & Fruitful Iran's President Says

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tuesday night that the 8th summit of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum in Moscow was constructive and fruitful, according to president.ir. Speaking before leaving Russia after a two-day visit, Pezeshkian said extensive and in-depth talks were held during the summit and that good understandings were reached.

He said he held productive meetings on the sidelines with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Qatar's emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Understandings were reached in a range of areas, including agriculture, oil and gas, road construction, security issues and bilateral cooperation, he said. "Overall, this trip was very good and effective," he said.

The forum's heads of state meet every two years. The first summit was held in Doha, Qatar, in 2011, followed by Moscow in 2013, Tehran in 2015, Santa Cruz, Bolivia, in 2017, Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, in 2019, Doha in 2022 and Algiers in 2024. The forum has held 27 ministerial meetings since its founding.

The forum has 12 full members, which together hold about 70% of the world's proven natural gas reserves, 38% of commercial gas production and 42% of global gas exports. Their share of liquefied natural gas exports is estimated at about 47%. - Shana