Egypt has presented five initiatives aimed at strengthening Arab energy security, focusing on regional connectivity, emergency coordination and investment, its petroleum minister said.
Karim Badawi, Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, outlined the proposals during the annual ministerial meeting of the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC), according to a statement from the ministry.
At the core of the proposals is the development of an Arab energy connectivity map for 2030, intended to identify priority cross-border projects and improve coordination across the region’s energy systems.
Badawi said the proposed map would cover key infrastructure such as oil and gas pipeline networks, reception and processing facilities, and transport routes for crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG).
He said improved connectivity would help Arab countries optimise existing infrastructure, reduce bottlenecks and enhance their collective ability to respond to supply disruptions.
As part of the plan, Egypt also proposed establishing a mechanism to coordinate emergency procurement of crude oil and LNG among Arab states, including the exchange of shipments when needed.
The mechanism, Badawi said, would help countries manage sudden supply shortages and mitigate the impact of geopolitical tensions, market volatility and logistical disruptions.
Another initiative focuses on expanding cross-border storage capacity, allowing Arab countries to make better use of their combined strategic depth.
Badawi said increased storage cooperation would be particularly important amid rising geopolitical risks, supply chain disruptions, and higher shipping and insurance costs, which have put pressure on energy-importing and exporting states alike.
The minister also announced plans for a digital platform that would allow OAPEC member states to showcase investment opportunities across the energy value chain.
The platform would cover sectors including exploration and production, refining, petrochemicals, storage, trading, transportation and renewable energy, with the aim of attracting greater intra-Arab and foreign investment.
In addition, Egypt proposed launching a unified Arab programme to strengthen technical cooperation and capacity building.
Badawi said the programme would focus on the exchange of expertise in operations and maintenance, as well as environmental governance, as countries seek to modernise their energy sectors while meeting sustainability goals.
Turning to Egypt’s domestic energy sector, Badawi said the country had managed to stabilise its energy market this year by resuming exploration, development and research activities.
He said this followed the introduction of a series of incentive measures aimed at attracting new investment, which had helped restore confidence among investors.
“These steps have had a positive impact on investment flows, particularly from Arab countries,” Badawi said, without providing further details.
Looking ahead, he said the government was preparing to implement an ambitious programme to boost discoveries and production over the coming years.
The plan includes drilling around 480 new wells over the next five years, as Egypt seeks to strengthen its position as a regional energy hub and ensure long-term supply security.
OAPEC, which brings together major Arab oil and gas producers, has in recent years increased its focus on regional cooperation as global energy markets face heightened uncertainty driven by geopolitical tensions, energy transition pressures and shifting trade flows.
Egypt has positioned itself as a key player in these efforts, leveraging its gas infrastructure, LNG export facilities and strategic location linking Africa, the Middle East and Europe.
Badawi said enhanced Arab coordination would be essential to navigate future challenges and ensure the stability and resilience of the region’s energy systems.
Arab countries play a central role in global energy markets, collectively holding more than half of the world’s proven crude oil reserves and a significant share of natural gas resources, according to OPEC and regional estimates.
The region includes some of the world’s largest oil and gas producers notably Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Algeria alongside transit and processing hubs such as Egypt.
Arab energy cooperation is primarily coordinated through the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC), founded in 1968 to promote collaboration in oil and gas development, research and joint ventures. OAPEC is distinct from OPEC and focuses more on technical, institutional and investment cooperation rather than production quotas.
