Gulf energy producers will continue to invest to maintain stable energy supplies, Qatar's Oil Minister Mohammed Al-Sada said in Doha on Thursday ahead of a meeting of Gulf states' oil ministers.

"The world knows very well that the Gulf Cooperation Council countries are its trusted partner that will spare no efforts or investments ... to secure a stable source of energy to push the wheel of the global economy, and we will remain on this path God willing," he told reporters.

Gulf oil ministers are due to meet later in the day for an annual meeting, in the first gathering by the heavyweight crude producers since the latest slide in oil prices.

While the price drop is not on the agenda for the scheduled meeting of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) - Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman, it will be a chance for oil ministers to air views on the market.

Comments by Saudi Arabia Oil Minister Ali Al-Naimi, in particular, will be closely scrutinised. The oil minister of the world's top crude exporter has made no public comment on prices since June 18, when the oil price was above $63 and he said he was optimistic about the market in coming months. - Reuters