Algeria and the European Union have common strategic interests in the energy sector. Algeria has long been – and continues to be – one of the EU's most important and most reliable gas suppliers. The EU remains Algeria's principal customer. Algeria and the EU have common objectives on energy security and energy transition, economic development, climate action and protection of the environment. Since 2015, the EU and Algeria have developed a mutually beneficial strategic partnership on energy. In this framework, they conduct a regular and structured dialogue covering a wide set of energy issues: natural gas, electricity, renewable energy, energy efficiency and, most recently, renewable and low carbon hydrogen.

To translate the dialogue into practice and support Algeria’s efforts on renewable energy and energy efficiency, Algeria and the EU already implement the joint programme “Taka Nadifa” (clean energy). The clean energy transition remains a priority of EU financial assistance and cooperation with Algeria for the years to come.

One of the key objectives of the Algeria-EU strategic partnership on energy is to promote investments and industrial partnerships between Algerian and European companies in the energy sector. The 2022 Energy Business Forum is an important milestone. It will bring together the main actors in the energy sector: decision-makers at political and institutional level, senior managers of Algerian and European companies, industrial and employers' associations, and Algerian and European financial institutions. In particular, the Forum will be an opportunity:

• For Algeria to present to European companies its potential and opportunities for investment and partnership with national companies (public and private) as well as the national policies in the energy sector.

• For European companies to find out about Algeria's policies and meet potential local partners through specific Business-to-Business sessions.

The Algerian Minister of Energy and Mines H.E. Mohamed ARKAB and the European Commissioner for Energy H.E. Kadri SIMSON welcome Algerian and European participants to the 2022 Energy Business Forum. This important event will take place on the occasion of the High Level Dialogue meeting between Minister Arkab and Commissioner Simson, a ministerial meeting that will set out the orientations to further develop and deepen the Algeria-EU strategic partnership on energy.