The decision made during the 23rd GECF Ministerial Meeting held via video conference on Tuesday November 16, 2021.

The Algerian 64-year-old nominee has 39 years of experience in various energy sectors. Holding degrees in mining engineering and economics, he is currently the senior advisor to Algerian Minister of Energy, Mohamed Arkab. He also served as the senior advisor to the secretary general of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) for five years and as the head of Energy Studies Department at the OPEC Secretariat for seven years.

Hamel is to start his term as GECF’s fourth secretary general on January 1, 2022.

The Secretary General is the chief officer in the Secretariat and is the legally authorized representative of the Forum. In this capacity, he has the authority to carry out the executive functions of the Forum in accordance with directions of the Executive Board and the GECF Statute, and is liable and accountable to both the Executive Board and the Ministerial Meeting.

The Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) has already held six terms as for Secretary-General, including four two-year terms (8 years) for Russia and two two-year terms (4 years) for Iran. Leonid Bukhanovsky (from Russia), Mohammad Hossein Adeli (from Iran), and Yury Sentyurin (from Russia) were three figures who held the post of secretary general for 12 years.

GECF members account for 44% of world gas production, 67% of world gas reserves, 64% of gas transmission pipeline and 66% of liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade.

Algeria, Bolivia, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Iran, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Russia, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela are the 11 main GECIF members, with Malaysia, Norway, Iraq, Peru, Azerbaijan and the UAE as observer members of the forum.