Sorrento, May 16, 2025
The President and CEO of SONATRACH, Mr. Rachid HACHICHI, took part in the 4th edition of the “Verso Sud” international forum held in Sorrento, Italy, on May 16–17, 2025. He was part of a high-level delegation led by the Minister of State, Minister of Energy, Mines and Renewable Energies, Mr. Mohamed ARKAB. The delegation also included the CEO of the Sonelgaz Group, Mr. Mourad ADJAL, His Excellency the Ambassador of Algeria to Italy, along with several senior executives and officials from the energy sector.
This event is part of the European strategy to open a new geopolitical, economic, and socio-cultural chapter in the Mediterranean region. SONATRACH’s participation reflects its strong commitment to strategic dialogue and regional and international cooperation, particularly within the framework of the Mattei Plan, launched by the Italian government. This plan aims to establish a balanced and sustainable partnership between Europe and Africa, focusing on shared development in key sectors such as energy, education, infrastructure, and agriculture.
Algeria plays a central role in this dynamic thanks to its strategic position, significant energy resources, and its ongoing commitment to regional energy security and the development of clean energy.
On the sidelines of the forum, Mr. HACHICHI took part in several bilateral meetings organized by Minister ARKAB, including one with the CEO of the Italian energy company Edison, Mr. Nicola MONTI. Discussions focused on the cooperation between the two companies and the strengthening of the partnership through new large-scale energy projects, covering hydrocarbons, natural gas marketing, hydrogen development, and the expansion of energy infrastructure.
The two parties also discussed the South Corridor project for hydrogen export—a promising strategic initiative within the energy transition framework. Training and technology transfer were also key topics during the meeting.
Mr. HACHICHI also joined the official delegation led by Minister ARKAB in a high-level session focused on the strategic role of the Mediterranean in the global energy transition. During his address, Minister ARKAB emphasized Algeria’s commitment to fighting climate change, particularly through reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting green fuels. He also highlighted the strategic importance of the South Corridor hydrogen project linking Algeria to Europe, affirming that Algeria has the necessary assets to be a driving force in the development of green hydrogen.
Moreover, Minister ARKAB shared Algeria’s experience in water security, notably through the construction of several seawater desalination plants led by SONATRACH. Six new plants have already been commissioned, bringing the country’s desalination capacity to over 3 million m³/day, with projections reaching over 5 million m³/day by 2030.