Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF)

The Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) is a gathering of the world's leading gas producers aimed at representing and promoting their mutual interests. The organisation was set up with the objective to increase the level of coordination and strengthen the collaboration between member countries. The forum also seeks to promote dialogue between gas producers and consumers. Together, the GECF holds over seventy percent of the world's current proven reserves of natural gas. 

It is the Mission of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum to:

• Identify and promote measures and processes necessary to ensure that Member Countries derive the most value from their gas resources, taking into consideration the nature of gas as a non-renewable source of energy.
• Promote the appropriate dialogue among gas producing and consuming countries to ensure appropriate balance in the sharing of risk associated with the gas markets and fair pricing for both producers and consumers.
• Promote common policies for access to capital and financial resources and transparency among member countries in the exchange of capital, financial data, and know-how.
• Foster mutual work for the integration of the gas markets and its stability.
• Exchange information on investment opportunities in member countries.
• Promote the acquisition and exchange of technology and experiences, and to equip Member Countries with the know-how to efficiently and effectively exploit their gas resources to the benefit of their country and peoples.

There are 11 members including Algeria, Bolivia, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Iran, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Russia Federation, Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela. Kazakhstan, Norway, and Netherlands are Observer Members.

 The Forum has three governing bodies:

• The Ministerial Meeting
• The Executive Board
• The Secretariat

Ministerial Meetings of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum:

 The Ministerial Meeting is the supreme governing body of the GECF and meets annually. However, other meetings can be held if deemed necessary.

The Executive Board

The Executive Board is made of up distinguished personnel from each Member Country. Currently, the Chairman of the Executive Board is the distinguished EB Member, Mr. Selwyn Lashley (Director of LNG & Gas Exports Division, Ministry of Energy and Energy Affairs). The Executive Board meets twice a year or whenever necessary. This board directs and manages the affairs of the Forum.

The Secretariat

The Secretariat carries out the executive functions of the GECF under direction from the Executive Board.

What has GECF been doing recently?

The GECF is in the process of formalizing its organisation and in doing so decided on Doha, Qatar to be the home of its secretariat. The first gas summit is currently being planned for November 2011 in Doha.

 Benefits for Trinidad and Tobago being a member of the GECF

Trinidad and Tobago stands to benefit from continued participation in this organisation particularly in light of this country's present role in the international gas export market as one of the largest LNG exporters worldwide and the single largest exporter of LNG to the United States.

Trinidad and Tobago also has an opportunity to have issues of interest to the country included on the agenda for discussion at the forum.  This is of particular importance as the country seeks to position itself for involvement further along the LNG value chain.

In addition, Trinidad and Tobago stands to benefit from valuable information from research and the opportunity for dialogue leading to business opportunities and prospects of technical cooperation between member countries. 

At present the Organisation is in the process of acquiring a Secretary General to be the formal head of the Organisation and Trinidad and Tobago has put forward a nominee for the selection process. Trinidad and Tobago nationals also have the opportunity to obtain key positions within the organisation when the secretariat is staffed.