Energy cooperation featured as Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Moscow Tuesday. The meeting took place alongside the eighth summit of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, which began that day. The leaders discussed ways to expand political and economic ties between Qatar and Iran. Their conversation also covered trade and coordination among countries that produce natural gas. In addition, the summit brought leaders together to discuss global gas markets and cooperation across the energy sector.
The Amir arrived in Moscow on Monday to attend the gathering. Meanwhile, Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Affairs, Saad Sherida Al Kaabi, held separate talks with Iran’s acting petroleum minister, Hamid Bovard. The two officials met on Tuesday alongside the forum’s 28th Ministerial Meeting. QatarEnergy said their discussion focused on energy relations between the two countries. The meeting followed another round of talks in Doha on October 19, when Al Kaabi and Bovard reviewed bilateral ties and energy-sector cooperation.
Al Kaabi also met energy ministers from Algeria, Libya, Senegal and Venezuela during his Moscow visit. Those conversations covered bilateral energy ties, the forum’s agenda and developments in global gas markets. Earlier, at Monday’s ministerial meeting, Al Kaabi urged countries to protect energy infrastructure and shipping routes during conflict. He warned that disruption in the Gulf could affect global trade and energy security. He pointed to attacks on energy facilities and restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Al Kaabi said attacks had targeted Qatar’s energy facilities and halted production. He added that Qatari liquefied natural gas vessels faced severe movement restrictions along regional shipping routes. Against that backdrop, he called for countries to work together to safeguard infrastructure during conflict. He also urged protection for energy routes and maritime shipping lanes. Qatar, he said, remained committed to reliable supplies, particularly liquefied natural gas, and sought to contribute to peace.
The minister also emphasized sustained investment throughout the natural gas supply chain. He said that investment depended on greater market certainty, fair access to financing and lasting cooperation between producers and consumers. Natural gas, he added, remained part of a diverse global energy mix and a balanced transition. These comments accompanied Qatar’s participation in discussions about energy cooperation and market developments. The meetings brought together leaders and ministers as the forum considered shared concerns affecting producers and international energy flows.
