The 28th Ministerial Meeting of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) opened in Moscow on Monday, bringing together 12 member countries and eight observer nations, emphasizing that all countries should enjoy the right to freely access natural gas.
In his remarks on Monday, Russian Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilev said that the Strait of Hormuz crisis has affected roughly 20 percent of global liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies. He added that illegal unilateral restrictions imposed on GECF member states, including Russia, Iran, and Venezuela, have exacerbated market volatility and driven up consumer prices.
The meeting adopted the draft "Moscow Declaration," which establishes three core principles: energy equity, technology neutrality, and equal access. The draft is expected to be formally approved on Tuesday during the 8th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the GECF, chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Founded in 2001, the GECF comprises 12 member countries, including Russia, Iran, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), alongside eight observer nations such as Angola, Azerbaijan, and Malaysia.
Together, GECF members and observers account for 70 percent of global natural gas reserves, nearly 40 percent of pipeline gas exports, and around 50 percent of global LNG exports.
Since 2011, the forum has held its heads-of-state summit biennially.
GECF ministerial meeting in Moscow highlights equal energy access
GECF ministerial meeting in Moscow highlights equal energy access
The Belt and Road Green Innovation Conference 2026 was held in Hong Kong on Monday, bringing together officials, experts and industry leaders to discuss fostering sustainable development and advancing green transformation of the Global South.
The conference, themed "Partnering with the Global South on Green Transition, Advancing Sustainable Development Worldwide," aims to build an international exchange and dialogue platform for deepening South-South cooperation and promoting North-South dialogue, and to advance joint building of a green Silk Road.
John Lee Ka-chiu, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and Huang Runqiu, Chinese Minister of Ecology and Environment, attended the event and delivered speeches respectively.
Lee said that Hong Kong, as a leading green and sustainable finance center, can connect green projects with international capital and combine green finance with financial innovation, and is a reliable partner in building a greener, more prosperous and more sustainable future, expressing the Special Administrative Region's readiness to work with all parties.
In his address, Huang called for stronger alignment of green strategies, deeper practical cooperation, greater green innovation, shared transition benefits, expanded green financing and a more vibrant market.
He stressed that China will firmly support and implement the U.N. 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, remain committed to green and low-carbon development, and share green experience and achievements with other developing countries through the BRI International Green Development Coalition and the South-South cooperation on climate change, always standing with the Global South in its green transition.
Nearly 300 people from more than 20 countries attended the conference.
Belt and Road Green Innovation Conference 2026 held in Hong Kong
