Kuwait’s Haitham Al-Ghais assumed office as the new Secretary General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) on Monday.
Gatekeepers News reports that Al-Ghais succeeds Nigeria’s Mohammad Barkindo, who died on July 5. Barkindo was due to step down at the end of this month after six years at the OPEC top job.
Al-Ghais was appointed as the new chief of the Vienna-headquartered OPEC in January this year and his tenure will last for three years.
“OPEC today welcomed its new secretary-general, Haitham Al Ghais of Kuwait. Al Ghais was appointed by acclamation for the post for a three-year term at the special meeting of the OPEC conference held on 3 January 2022,” the statement made available by OPEC on Monday reads.
“He, Al Ghais, is a widely respected oil technocrat and OPEC figure with 30 years of experience in the oil sector.
“He advised six Kuwaiti oil ministers on market developments and has served as Kuwait’s governor for OPEC, chairman of the Declaration of Cooperation’s (DoC) Joint Technical Committee (JTC) and Kosovo Prosecutorial Council (KPC) deputy managing director for international marketing.”
The new OPEC Sec-Gen said he is willing work with stakeholders to ensure inclusive energy in all member countries.
“It is a great honour for me to be at the helm of an organization that has been instrumental in supporting a stable and sustainable supply of oil to the world for more than 61 years,” he said.
“Throughout our history, OPEC has been at the forefront of promoting dialogue, cooperation and partnerships to achieve its mission. Today, I look forward to working with our member countries and our many partners around the world to ensure a sustainable and inclusive energy future which leaves no one behind.”
