The Sixth Ministerial Meeting of the East Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF) was convened in Cairo on the 25th of November, under the Presidency of Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek El Molla.

The energy ministers participating in the EMGF showcased the outcomes of the first phase of the EMGF’s long-term strategy, which reflects the basic objectives presented in the charter. Furthermore, the ministers confirmed the importance of natural gas during the energy transition as the least carbon-intensive fossil fuel.

The meeting was attended by Cypriot, Greek, French, Jordanian, Palestinian, and Israeli ministers of energy and foreign affairs. The United States, European Union (EU), and the World Bank attended as observers.

It should be noted that the ministers agreed to join forces to prepare initiatives for climate action in light of COP 27, which Egypt will host next year. Adding to that, they discussed the current status of  the “Regional Natural Gas and Energy Supply and Demand Balance” study, currently in progress with the support of the EU.

The meeting also witnessed an important milestone, which is the appointment of Mr. Osama Mubarez as Secretary General of the EMGF for 3 years, starting from January 2022.

Moreover, the Cypriot Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry Natasa Pilides will assume the Presidency of the East Mediterranean Gas Forum on January 1, 2022, taking over from El Molla.

Finally, the ministers expressed their deep appreciation to the Arab Republic of Egypt, under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, for providing its utmost support as a host country for the EMGF, which contributed to establishing a sustainable regional market for gas and strengthening regional cooperation in accordance with international law.