The workshops took place on Saturday, following an expert meeting of the Ministerial Meeting, with addresses by Ali-Mohammad Mousavi, Iran's deputy oil minister of international affairs and commerce, and Mohamed Hamel, the secretary-general of GECF, in the presence of member representatives.

The workshops covered the following topics: Short-Term Gas Market Presentation, GECF Global Gas Outlook 2050, and GECF Data Exchange Mechanism.

Short-Term Gas Market Presentation

The first workshop highlighted the sustained growth of the global economy, the rising demand for natural gas in Asia—especially in China and India—and electricity generation as the primary driver of global gas demand. It also noted the emerging role of transportation as a significant factor in gas demand growth.

Key topics included the increase in global gas production to meet growing demand and the rise in gas trade, driven by expanded Chinese imports. The session also discussed a 70% surge in global LNG exports over the past decade, the development of new regasification capacity to bolster LNG imports in Asia, and the impact of oil-indexed pricing with minor discounts for spot cargo deals.

GECF Global Gas Outlook 2050

The second workshop provided an in-depth analysis of the global gas landscape, focusing on energy system models, economic and price assumptions, and long-term energy and natural gas demand projections.

It was projected that global primary energy demand would grow by 20% by 2050, with natural gas retaining a vital role in the energy mix. Its share, currently at 23%, is expected to rise to 26% by mid-century.

GECF Data Exchange Mechanism

The third workshop examined topics such as data quality management, collaboration between the GECF Secretariat and the Joint Organisations Data Initiative (JODI) in Riyadh, and an overview of statistical deliveries.

Key deliverables included the release of the 2024 Annual Statistical Bulletin, the Short-Term Gas Market Report, and updates on the GECF Data Exchange Center.

Additional meetings and visits

On Friday, an extraordinary GECF Executive Board meeting chaired by Sheikh Mishaal Bin Jabor Al Thani, Director of Energy Affairs Department of the Qatar Ministry of Energy and Industry was held in Tehran, with the Secretary-General Hamel and member representatives in attendance.

On Saturday morning, GECF members visited Iran's Research Institute of Petroleum Industry (RIPI) to explore the country's latest advancements in oil, gas, refining, and petrochemical research.

The formal session of 26th GECF Ministerial Meeting, hosted for the fourth time by Iran, is scheduled to take place on Sunday, in Tehran, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. local time, under the chairmanship of Mohsen Paknejad, Iran's Minister of Oil.