ALGIERS, April 19 (Xinhua) -- The 10th session of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), a gas equivalent of OPEC oil cartel, kicked off Monday in the western Algerian city of Oran, with the main focus on agreeing to a fair price for gas supplies, compared to that of oil.

Algerian Minister of Energy and Mining Chakib Khelil told a press conference on Monday that his country wants the gas price indexed to that of oil.

"Now, gas unit price is set at 13 U.S. dollars per mBtu, i.e. a sixth of current oil prices, whereas it is a clear energy source that is less polluting and offers considerable comparative advantages for the development of renewable energy sources," he was quoted by state-run APS news agency as saying.

In late March, Algeria proposed that GECF countries reduce gas exports to restore balance in the global gas market.

In his keynote address to the meeting Monday, Khelil said global gas demand forecasts are "a cause for concern."

"The global gas demand in 2013 will be the same as in 2008," Khelil was quoted by APS as saying.

Gas demand dropped significantly in 2008 and 2009, and the forecasts for the next five years are far from favorite, the minister added, calling upon producing countries to remain " vigilant" as the demand will remain "uncertain."

He also called on GECF member states to have a better cooperation in the planning of new investments in the gas sector.

"In a context marked by uncertainty, a new model of cooperation founded on a fair approach should be envisaged," Khelil told the ministers and representatives of the 11 GECF member states.

The GECF is made up of Algeria, Bolivia, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Iran, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Russia, Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela. Its two observers Kazakhstan and Norway also attended the meeting.