Qatar committed to low-carbon energy: Amir
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At the opening of the 6th GECF Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) member countries on Tuesday, His Highness the Amir referred to Qatar’s carbon capture and sequestration facility and said it has an annual capacity of up to 2.5mn tonnes (of carbon dioxide). This capacity will reach about 9mn tonnes by 2030, he said.
His Highness the Amir patronised the summit’s opening, which attended by Abdelmadjid Tebboune, President of Algeria; Ebrahim Raisi, President of Iran; Filipe Nyusi, President of Mozambique; Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, President of Equatorial Guinea; Abdul Hamid Mohamed al-Dbeiba, Head of the Government of National Unity of the State of Libya; Dr Keith Rowley, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago; and a number of ministers and heads of delegations of brotherly and friendly countries, QNA reported.
It was also attended by a number of sheikhs, ministers, heads of diplomatic missions accredited to Qatar, senior officials, businessmen, decision makers in the field of economy and energy, representatives of international institutions and companies and guests of the summit.
His Highness the Amir noted the transition to low-carbon energy is not only relevant to producers, but also closely related to end-users whose consumption behaviours determine the extent of the effectiveness and success of this transition.
“The transformation efforts must follow a balanced approach that takes into account human and economic development requirements in developing countries and poor societies, where nearly one billion people are deprived of electricity and fuel, the two basic sources required for a decent life for human beings.
“Investing in the ways and means of scientific and technological advances to capture and sequester carbon and reduce methane emissions is an essential component of a successful clean energy transition, and in enhancing the qualitative value that natural gas provides to users around the world, and keeping the global energy economy on a sustainable path.”
His Highness the Amir noted, “To enhance our role in the natural gas industry, we are working to develop and increase our current production capacity of liquefied natural gas from 77mn tonnes per year to 126mn tonnes per year by 2027, through the North Field production expansion projects. “These include huge investments in eco-friendly technologies, namely an integrated system for capturing and injecting carbon dioxide, which, when fully operational, will become the largest of its kind in the LNG industry. Solar energy will be relied upon to generate part of the electricity required for this project.”
Over the past two decades, His Highness the Amir said the world has witnessed a major change in the energy chart, where natural gas has occupied a large space, for several reasons, including that it is the least harmful energy source to the environment among other fossil energy sources.
Natural gas has been able to occupy increasing spaces in the energy basket in many countries.
The State of Qatar, His Highness the Amir said, “will continue to support the efforts to protect the interests of the gas exporters, and to preserve the interests of the consumers, and to affirm the full and permanent sovereign rights of the member states to develop and exploit their natural resources.
“We will remain committed to enhancing the role of natural gas in the transition to low-carbon economies, and working alongside all our partners to achieve sustainable growth in the gas industry and meet the growing demand for this important source of energy. We will also seek to encourage investments and develop infrastructure and member states’ capabilities to respond to natural disasters and accidents.”
The GECF has played a major role in enhancing the contribution of natural gas to supporting economies and facing environmental challenges, which also contributes to achieving sustainable development goals.
“In this regard, we appreciate the joint efforts of all member states which have worked to provide reliable natural gas supplies to global markets, and maintained the stability of the markets.”
Later, His Highness the Amir yesterday concluded the 6th Gas Exporting Countries Forum, which was held at the Sheraton Doha under the slogan ‘Natural Gas: Shaping the Energy Future’.
The closing was attended by the presidents of Algeria, Iran, Mozambique and Equatorial Guinea, head of the Government of National Unity of Libya, prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago, and a number of ministers and heads of delegations of brotherly and friendly countries.
It was also attended by a number of sheikhs, ministers, heads of diplomatic missions accredited to Qatar, senior officials, businessmen, decision makers in the field of economy and energy, representatives of international institutions and companies and guests of the summit.
In a speech on the occasion, His Highness the Amir expressed “deep appreciation for all the sincere efforts that have marked its activities, leading to the adoption of the Doha Declaration, which came in response to the challenges and variables we are witnessing around us, and coinciding with a new phase in which natural gas contributes to charting a course towards a more sustainable future.”
“Our summit confirmed our conviction that dialogue is the optimum way to achieve consensus, enhance co-operation, and protect the interests of producers and consumers for the good of their peoples,” he said, according to an unofficial translation by QNA. “The State of Qatar welcomes working with everyone to make common good, security and stability prevalent among all peoples of the world.
“I reiterate my thanks to you all for your participation in this summit, and I also thank all those who contributed to organising and preparing for it.”