Shipping routes and energy infrastructure must be protected in conflicts to minimise disruption to global trade and energy security, Qatar’s minister of state for energy affairs, Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, who also serves as president and chief executive of QatarEnergy told a meeting in Moscow.
Speaking at the 28th Ministerial Meeting of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum in Moscow, minister of state for energy affairs called for the protection of energy infrastructure and shipping routes, stating: “It is critical that we work together to protect energy infrastructure during times of conflict, including energy routes and maritime shipping lanes, whose disruption has far-reaching implications for global trade and energy security.”
He pointed to conflict in the Gulf region and repeated attacks on energy facilities and assets there, which he said have sharply reduced shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and limited access to energy and other essential products.
“The State of Qatar itself was the target of several attacks on our energy production facilities. As a result, our production was halted, and our LNG vessels faced severe restrictions on their movement through regional shipping routes,” he added.
Reaffirming Qatar’s steadfast resolve to uphold its principles, minister Al-Kaabi said: “We, in the State of Qatar, strive to be a force for peace. We also remain firmly committed to playing an active and constructive role in providing the world with reliable energy supplies, particularly LNG.”
Al-Kaabi stressed that meeting the world’s growing demand for natural gas requires significant and sustained investment across the entire gas value chain, supported by greater market certainty, fair access to financing, and long-term cooperation between producers and consumers to bring new supplies to market in a timely manner.
Concluding his remarks, he said: “We have an important responsibility: to reaffirm the role of natural gas as a cornerstone of a diversified global energy mix and as a key enabler of a fair, realistic, and balanced energy transition. Natural gas is here to stay, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that its role remains firmly anchored in the global energy dialogue.”
The 28th Ministerial Meeting of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum was held ahead of the 8th Summit of the Heads of States of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum.
