Al-Roumi: Strengthening Gulf integration to support energy supply security and sustainability

Oil Minister Tariq Al-Roumi affirmed that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are proceeding to enhance their cooperation and integrate their capabilities in the energy sector, thereby supporting supply security, boosting readiness to address regional and international developments, and consolidating their pivotal and reliable role in global energy markets.

The Ministry of Oil stated in a press release that this remark was made by Minister Al-Roumi while he was leading the Kuwaiti delegation at the 37th meeting of the Petroleum Cooperation Committee of the GCC, which was attended by the oil and energy ministers of the member states.

Al-Roumi stressed that the geopolitical developments and tensions witnessed in the region are increasing the importance of enhancing energy security and supply sustainability, and underscore the necessity of continuing to raise the readiness and capacity of the Gulf energy system to handle exceptional circumstances.

He pointed out that the reliability of energy flows is not solely dependent on production capacity, but also on the ability of the entire supply chain—from production, refining, and storage to transportation, infrastructure, and supply chains—to withstand, continue, and adapt.

He emphasized that safeguarding supply chains, enhancing their readiness, and ensuring the sustainability of their flows represent a shared Gulf priority that calls for strengthened coordination and optimal utilization of available capacities among GCC countries, thereby guaranteeing the smooth flow of supplies and enhancing the ability of GCC countries to meet their commitments to markets under all circumstances.

He also noted that GCC countries have established a pivotal position in global energy markets due to their resources, production and refining capacities, infrastructure, investments, and accumulated expertise, adding that preserving and building upon this status requires deepening integration among Gulf energy sectors, coordinating positions on regional and international issues, and translating shared visions into more effective and impactful action plans.

Al-Roumi stressed the importance of transitioning from coordinating efforts to integrating capabilities, and from aligning visions to actionable, implementable, and follow-up initiatives that safeguard the interests of GCC countries, enhance their energy security, and consolidate their status as a reliable and influential partner in global energy system security.

The meeting discussed a number of files related to the future of Gulf cooperation in the energy sector, foremost among them the outcomes of the study on external storage of oil and gas within the proposal to establish Gulf strategic storage zones, the regional emergency plan for petroleum products, energy security, and the just and balanced transition, alongside European cross-border legislation and measures, trade issues related to the energy sector, and the Energy Team’s 2027 action plan.

The meeting also addressed the energy strategy and the energy communications strategy, along with their implementation mechanisms, and several programs and initiatives aimed at developing areas of joint Gulf work and keeping pace with the rapid transformations witnessed in the energy sector regionally and internationally.

The ministers discussed all agenda items, and the items and recommendations submitted regarding them were approved, thereby supporting the implementation and follow-up of joint Gulf action plans in the oil and energy sectors, and enhancing coordination and integration among GCC countries in the coming period.

The Kuwaiti delegation participating in the meeting included the delegation head, Minister Al-Roumi; Deputy Minister of Oil Sheikh Dr. Nimer Al-Malki Al-Sabah; Director of Public Relations and Petroleum Media Management Sheikh Tamadur Al-Khalid; Director of Planning and International Relations at the Ministry of Oil Omar Al-Wasmi; and Head of the Chairman of the Board’s Office Affairs Team at Kuwait Petroleum Corporation Nasser Al-Namshan.