OPEC prolongs secretary general’s term for another three years

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has re-elected Haitham al-Ghais as its Secretary General for a second three-year term at a virtual meeting held on December 10. 

The meeting, which began at 12:30 GMT, saw al-Ghais, who has held the position since January 2022, receive unanimous support from 12 of OPEC’s member states. He succeeded Nigeria’s Mohammad Barkindo in the role, Caliber.Az informs via foreign media.

Al-Ghais, a seasoned energy industry expert with more than 30 years of experience, took office as OPEC Secretary General on August 1, 2022. He brings a wealth of expertise from his long-standing career with Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC), where he held senior management roles in Kuwait, Beijing, and London.

Before joining KPC in 1993, al-Ghais served as a Diplomatic Attaché in Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, working closely with the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. Throughout his career at KPC, he held multiple leadership positions, including in Crude Oil Marketing and Petroleum Products in the International Marketing Sector, Head of KPC’s Regional Office in Beijing, Manager of KPC’s European Regional Office in London, and Market Research Manager in Kuwait.

In 2021, al-Ghais was appointed Deputy Managing Director for International Marketing at KPC, overseeing the global market outlook and contributing to the development of long-term strategic plans.

Al-Ghais has represented Kuwait on several prestigious international boards, including the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies (2008-14) and OPEC’s governing bodies and subcommittees (2016-21). His leadership also played a pivotal role in the historic Declaration of Cooperation between OPEC and non-OPEC oil-producing countries. In 2017, he became the first Chairman of OPEC’s Joint Technical Committee, facilitating the development of a methodology to monitor production adjustments.

Between 2018 and 2019, al-Ghais led the team that finalized and signed the Charter of Cooperation between OPEC and non-OPEC oil-producing countries. His work has positioned him as a key figure in global energy governance.

By Khagan Isayev