Doha, 05 January 2026 – The Secretariat of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) welcomed today Dr Philip Mshelbila, the newly appointed Secretary General of the Forum, during a reception held at the GECF Headquarters.
The programme included a formal handover ceremony and a comprehensive management meeting with the GECF Offices and Departments, co-chaired by HE Eng. Mohamed Hamel and HE Dr Philip Mshelbila marked an orderly and collegial leadership transition.
During the management meeting, the GECF Offices and Departments presented an overview of their key activities, institutional engagements, and managerial priorities, providing a comprehensive briefing on current operations and strategic deliverables across the Secretariat.
In his remarks, HE Eng Mohamed Hamel underscored the importance of continuity, institutional memory, and collective commitment, noting that his tenure was guided by a firm resolve to build on the heritage of the Organisation, consolidate its achievements, and further enhance the GECF’s success and international recognition, as it evolved into a respected global platform for dialogue on natural gas.
HE Dr Philip Mshelbila, in turn, expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome and the strong institutional foundations established over the years, thanking HE Eng. Mohamed Hamel for the progress achieved and the organisation’s enhanced standing on the international energy stage. HE reaffirmed his commitment to work closely with the Secretariat’s Offices and Departments to further advance the GECF’s strategic role and global engagement in a rapidly evolving energy landscape, while preserving and strengthening the unique and noble character of the Forum’s mission.
The meeting concluded on a positive and constructive note, underscoring the participants’ shared confidence in the Forum’s trajectory and future direction.
