Energy Minister Stuart Young yesterday advocated that natural gas be used as a transition fuel, stressing the importance of using sovereign resources and ensuring energy security.
He made this comment at an extraordinary ministerial meeting while attending the 7th Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) Summit in Algiers, the Democratic Republic of Algeria.
Young said it is incumbent for leaders of natural gas-producing countries to raise their voices globally in the conversation of energy security and food security, and to demand the ability and the opportunities to utilise sovereign resources of natural gas-rich countries.
He said it is important that members of the GECF work together not only in the promotion of the use of natural gas, which will inevitably feature as the energy source for decades to come in a clean energy environment, “but also for us to work together to exploit our gas resources.”
The minister identified that T&T, as small as it is, continues to play a vital role in providing energy security, not only for Latin America and the Caricom region but also as far away as Europe.
“I call upon us once again to use the body of the GECF to raise the platform and the voices for natural gas.”
Young also made a call to support the African continent’s ability to independently develop its resources for energy security in that part of the world.
The Dragon Gas Deal was also highlighted as an example of a project that allows two GECF member countries to move forward to develop resources.”
The minister in closing said he is looking forward to a closer collaboration as a united voice “sometimes to push back on those who make decisions in far-off places that directly affect our ability to develop our resources.”
The GECF Summit is the meeting of Heads of State and Government from the Member Countries of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum.
It serves as a platform for leaders to engage in constructive dialogue and share their insights on recent developments and future perspectives regarding energy in general and natural gas in particular. The summit is anticipated to culminate in the issuance of the Algiers Declaration.