ORAN -The President of the International Gas Union (IGU), Andrea Stegher, stated on Monday in Oran, that Algeria is considered a pioneer in the field of liquefied natural gas.
In his address at the first strategic session of 8th Symposium of the Algerian Gas Industry Association (AIG) organized under the theme: "Natural Gas and Hydrogen: Innovation for Sustainable Industry," Stegher noted that "Algeria’s gas experts have long understood that gas is far more than an energy source, it is a tool in the service of people and a cornerstone of genuine sustainability."
He stressed that the gas industry continues to play a central role in several aspects, whether in meeting the current needs of consumers or in securing access to energy for future generations, highlighting that this orientation has become clear to the actors in the sector as well as to consumers who see gas as a viable energy option.
He also pointed to the rising energy demand linked to artificial intelligence and data centers, affirming that "if we want to meet this growing demand while reducing carbon intensity, gas remains an inevitable short-term solution, alongside renewable energy."
The President of the International Gas Union called for sustained investment in the sector and for infrastructure to be developed at the right moment and on the necessary scale.
He also stressed the fact that gas remains a safe and reliable energy source, as well as a key element in the various future energy scenarios, commending in this regard Algeria’s experience based on long-term partnerships that have strengthened trust and innovation in this sector.
He emphasized that innovation remains at the heart of the gas industry, through continuous technological developments, both in traditional systems and in low-emission solutions, as well as through the growing use of digitalization and artificial intelligence to improve efficiency and reduce emissions.
Stegher also underscored that the sharing of knowledge and best practices constitutes one of the pillars of the action of the International Gas Union, highlighting that innovation will also be at the center of the next Union conference (IGRC 2027), planned for next year in Budapest, Hungary.
He furthermore hailed the role played by Algeria and the Algerian Gas Industry Association in the development of the gas industry at the regional level, considering that the infrastructure built over the decades constitutes a strategic asset for the future.
"Within the International Gas Union, we represent a community of engineers, operators, entrepreneurs and innovators, united by a common goal: to achieve a responsible, sustainable and affordable energy transition," he said, adding that global energy growth requires investments, political support for innovation and concrete actions on climate.
