Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek el-Molla held several meetings in Washington with some businessmen, research and academic institutions, officials of the Ministry of Energy, and members of the US Congress.
The Minister said that his visit to the US aimed to discuss ways to enhance cooperation in developing energy resources, push efforts to reduce emissions in the oil and gas industry, and advance regional integration efforts in exploiting energy resources and natural gas in the eastern Mediterranean region.
Egypt seeks to be a regional hub for renewable energy, as part of its 2030 sustainable development strategy, especially in green hydrogen.
Last April, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly confirmed that Egypt was accelerating toward adopting proposals to attract more foreign investments in green hydrogen production.
Also, during President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s visit to Germany last year, he promised to facilitate natural gas exportation to Europe to face the current crisis resulting from the repercussions of the Russian-Ukrainian war.
The Presidency of the Egyptian government reported that Molla affirmed that his country contributed to securing part of Europe's energy needs during the global crisis as part of its role as a regional hub for energy trade and circulation.
The minister explained that the current challenges in global energy markets had demonstrated the importance of Egypt's proactive efforts since 2018 to launch the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum.
The top official discussed with the US Deputy Secretary of Energy, David Turk, the means to expedite enhancing bilateral cooperation in different fields with a focus on limiting emissions.
The meeting also touched on the developments in the work of the East Mediterranean Gas Forum, in which the United States participates as an observer.
Molla stressed the importance of the current partnerships with the US to accelerate sustainable development, reduce emissions in the oil and gas industry, and contribute to the localization of its technology in Egypt.
The Minister indicated that Egypt had worked hard since 2016 to implement a comprehensive strategy for reform in the oil and gas sector, which transformed the country from a state of deficit to a global hub for gas export.
He also held two meetings with members of the US Congress and discussed ways to advance cooperation in energy, especially energy transition and carbon removal.
Molla stressed the importance of accelerating the provision of technology and applications needed to reduce carbon and support Egypt and African countries.
He also discussed Egypt’s strategy to achieve sustainability, reduce carbon in energy, and invest in green fuels, such as hydrogen.
