1st UfM Gas Platform Conference on “the role of LNG in the Mediterranean gas security” in Paris
Organised by the Observatoire Méditerranéen de l’Energie (OME) with the support of the European Commission, the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) Gas Platform Conference, entitled The Role of LNG in Mediterranean Gas Security, took place at the Hotel Intercontinental Paris Le Grand. The event explored the role LNG will play in the near future in energy diversification, innovation, and transition in the Euro-Mediterranean region. More than 60 delegates from institutions and the industry from both shores of the Mediterranean Sea contributed to the success of this gathering.
Dominique Ristori, Director-General for Energy of the European Commission, Nasser Kamel, Secretary General of the UfM Secretariat, and Houda Ben Jannet Allal, UfM Gas Platform Secretariat, Director General of the OME, welcomed participants and highlighted the role of the UfM Gas Platform as the “gathering place of reference” to strengthen regional dialogue and cooperation in the Euro-Mediterranean gas sector.
In the Strategic Debate, HE Tarek El-Molla, Minister of Petroleum of Egypt and Dominique Ristori, shared with the participants the latest developments on Egypt’s and EU’s energy policies; the place of natural gas in Egypt’s energy future; how Egypt has been successful in taking a large deposit from discovery to production in record time, resuming exports and sending a strong message to potential investors; EU strategy towards natural gas and LNG; the importance of natural gas in the energy security/transition of the Mediterranean region; crucial importance of regional cooperation; and the role of OME and of the UfM Gas Platform in facilitating this cooperation.
In the following sessions, the conference was an occasion for all participants to hear about the progress of the Gas Platform and the views of policy makers and industry on the key challenges, benefits and opportunities not only for strengthening and deepening cooperation and collaboration on LNG but also for harvesting business opportunities in the Euro-Mediterranean region.