ABU DHABI – The Emirates News Agency (WAM) has signed an agreement with the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to serve as a media partner for the 8th OPEC International Seminar to be held at the Imperial Hofburg Palace in Vienna, Austria on July 5-6 under the theme “Towards a Sustainable and Inclusive Energy Transition”.
Under the agreement, WAM will provide local, regional and international media coverage during the event and the Seminar Exhibition in a variety of languages.
Haitham Al Ghais, secretary general of OPEC, emphasized the significance of bolstering collaboration with WAM in light of the substantial role played by the United Arab Emirates, an “effective and vital OPEC member that is playing a leading role in global oil markets.”
Al Ghais also underscored the importance of the role played by conventional media in disseminating information and boosting public awareness, particularly among young people, about essential areas, like the energy industry.
Regarding preparations for the seminar, Al Ghais said “the OPEC International Seminar has an outstanding record for both the caliber of participants and the high level of discussions that take place on the leading issues affecting the energy sector, especially at this critical time in the global industry.”
“We are looking forward to welcoming all our guests to Vienna for what will be a truly memorable and informative event,” Al Ghais added.
For his part, WAM Director-General Mohammed Jalal Al Rayssi said “in line with the directives of the wise leadership and based on the media's central role in promoting sustainable development, WAM is eager to expand its international footprint as a dependable media supplier in multiple languages.”
“OPEC plays a key role in ensuring energy security and addressing climate change by supporting sustainable practices to cut carbon emissions,” Al Rayssi added. “This cooperation agreement opens wider prospects for future partnership with OPEC, based on the two sides' shared goals of raising media awareness of just energy transitions and supporting global initiatives to combat climate change for the benefit of future generations.”
The 8th OPEC International Seminar will focus on the key issues pertaining to the energy transition, such as energy security, technological innovation, environmental matters, sustainable development, energy policies, as well as broader trends in the world economy.
OPEC has held seminars since 1969. However, the first in the current series of International Seminars was held in 2001, followed by subsequent iterations in 2004, 2006, 2009, 2012, 2015 and 2018.
The 7th OPEC International Seminar took place from 20th–21st June 2018 under the theme “Petroleum- cooperation for a sustainable future”.
It was also held at the Imperial Hofburg Palace in Vienna and attracted a record 950 participants from over 50 nations, around 80 speakers, 60 ministers and CEOs, 19 sponsors, 20 exhibitors, and more than 200 journalists and analysts. (WAM)
