OPEC Secretary General: Cooperation is the key ingredient to addressing future energy challenges

His Excellency, Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, stresses the importance of dialogue and cooperation between oil industry stakeholders in order to achieve a stable and sustainable energy future. Through its theme ‘Petroleum – Cooperation for a Sustainable Future’, the 7th OPEC International Seminar provides a high-level forum for the exchange of ideas and perspectives, while confronting the major issues facing the global oil and gas industry.

Vienna – In the run-up to the 7th OPEC International Seminar from 20-21 June 2018 at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna, OPEC Secretary General, HE Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, emphasizes the need for cooperation between relevant stakeholders in view of the so-called ‘new energy era’: “We chose this year’s theme ‘Petroleum – Cooperation for a Sustainable Future’ because it confronts one of the key questions of our time: While it is clear that all forms of energy will be needed in the future, it is also evident that fossil fuels will continue to play a dominant role in meeting the ever-rising demand for energy. Thus, we will gather energy ministers from OPEC Member Countries, non-OPEC producing and consuming nations as well as high-ranking representatives from international companies and organizations, leading scientists and energy experts at the Seminar in order to discuss the contribution of petroleum to a stable and sustainable global energy future” states HE Barkindo.

The Seminar’s two-day programme will provide a unique, high-level forum in which the major issues of the day will be discussed, including industry investment, the role of technology and innovation, as well as sustainability and the future of oil.

‘Declaration of Cooperation’ as a model process

Enhanced dialogue and cooperation between oil industry stakeholders constitute the key ingredients to a successful future and characterize the landmark ‘Declaration of Cooperation’ between 24 OPEC and non-OPEC oil producing countries as a model process.

“In an increasingly interdependent and complex world, we all need to work towards a more integrated industry. We need to continually break down barriers, as we cannot work in silos. This has become reality in the ‘Declaration of Cooperation’, which is a historic achievement that has helped to accelerate market rebalancing and enhance stability,” says the Secretary General.

“I am confident that this year’s Seminar, with its many highly distinguished speakers and panelists, will bring to the forefront potential solutions to some of the industry’s most pressing challenges, while also enhancing and expanding avenues of dialogue and cooperation,” concluded HE Barkindo.

7th OPEC International Seminar

20-21 June 2018

Hofburg Palace

Vienna, Austria

Registration for the event is now open at: https://www.opecseminar.org/opec-seminar-ticket-registration.htm to secure limited seats to this event. Students are eligible for special ticket rates.

For more information and updates, visit www.opecseminar.org.

About the OPEC International Seminar

The OPEC International Seminar is one of the premier events on the world energy calendar. The first OPEC Seminar was held in Vienna in 1969, with the Seminars increasing in size and scope over the years, not only embracing petroleum-related topics, but other issues such as global finance, sustainable development and the environment. The current OPEC International Seminar series began in 2001 and has provided fresh impetus to key industry issues and developed existing and new avenues of dialogue and cooperation.

About OPEC

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is a permanent, intergovernmental organization that was founded in 1960. OPEC currently has 14 Member Countries (Algeria, Angola, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, IR Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela) and is headquartered in the Austrian capital of Vienna.

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