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The launch of the 12th Arab Energy Conference in Doha

11-12-2023

The 12th Arab Energy Conference kicked off in Doha on Monday under the slogan (Arab Energy and Cooperation), which will last for two days with the participation of the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Oil, and Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investment, Dr. Saad Al-Barrak. The Qatari Minister of State for Energy Affairs, Engineer Saad Al-Kaabi, said in his speech during the opening ceremony that the world is going through a period of conflict in which the pivotal importance of energy in achieving sustainable economic growth and global prosperity is increasing. He stressed the importance of formulating a realistic vision based on scientific foundations for a fair, balanced and sustainable transition to low-carbon energy, especially in the face of emotional and unrealistic rhetoric calling for the abolition of oil and gas. Al-Kaabi stressed the importance of enhancing investments in traditional energy resources, in which investments declined by about 25 percent over the past decade compared to the normal investment cycle, noting that by 2050 the world’s population is expected to increase by approximately two billion people, which will further increase the demand for energy, especially in countries. Developing. He added that despite the importance of turning to renewable energy sources, it is necessary to recognize that they alone are not the only solution due to their intermittent nature and the constant need for conversion products that depend on oil and gas derivatives. The Qatari Minister stated that his country had taken a strategic decision to invest in the liquefied natural gas industry, as the decision was based on a realistic understanding of the market fundamentals and efforts to reduce global carbon emissions, and that by 2026, plans for liquefied natural gas production would be raised to 126 million tons annually. He pointed to the pivotal role of solar energy in efforts to provide renewable and sustainable alternatives in the Arab world, pointing out that Arab countries are qualified to develop solar energy, especially because of their geographical location. Al-Kaabi also explained that Qatar stresses the importance of strengthening cooperation between Arab countries to secure a promising future, praising the role of OAPEC and the series of Arab Energy Conferences in monitoring developments in global energy markets and their impact on member states and working to support efforts to develop the energy industry and adopt modern technologies that support the partnership. Between the various components of energy sources. In turn, the Secretary-General of the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC), Engineer Jamal Al-Loughani, said in his speech that “the conference aims to create an institutional framework for Arab ideas and perceptions on oil and energy issues in order to formulate harmonious visions regarding them and learn about the international dimensions of energy and its effects on Arab countries.” He added that the conference also discusses and explores multiple cooperation horizons in the field of the energy industry, in addition to the international developments taking place in the energy markets and the repercussions they have at the Arab and international levels, and the connection of the energy industry to the issue of the environment and its repercussions on sustainable development in the Arab region. Al-Loughani said that all these issues require us to deal with them with awareness and understanding within the framework of reality, as the Arab countries producing and exporting oil and gas face many challenges in the future, represented in how to build sustainable and reliable energy systems, which requires a careful balance between different goals such as reducing emissions, availability of energy and capacity. To bear its costs in addition to energy security. He stated that many Arab countries apply international standards to maintain an environment free of pollutants and use technologies to obtain quality fuel and low-emission energy. Therefore, it is in no way possible to link an emission-free environment with the consumption of fossil fuels, especially oil and gas. Al-Loughani stated that exploiting hydrocarbon sources while controlling their emissions through clean technologies will enhance the possibility of the world reaching the desired zero neutrality in 2050. Thus, these sources will be part of the solution towards a balanced, gradual and responsible transition towards more permanent energy sources in a way that takes into account the national circumstances and priorities of each country. nation. He pointed out that the shift towards a circular carbon economy provides opportunities that enable the development of new energy systems based on innovation and technologies that use all energy sources while achieving sustainable development goals and addressing climate change, noting that Arab countries are making great efforts in the field of the circular carbon economy by spreading capture technology. Carbon utilization and storage. Al-Loughani stated that the Arab countries are also seeking to exploit renewable energies in generating electrical energy, explaining that there is an Arab strategy for sustainable energy 2030 and another strategy for the peaceful uses of atomic energy. He also reiterated that the Arab countries producing and exporting oil and gas are part of the solution in the approach to transition towards clean energy and will not be a cause of the problem of climate change and will remain in a leadership position in efforts aimed at protecting the environment while maintaining the supply of energy markets with clean petroleum products in a way that ensures achieving Stability and balance in those markets. The Arab oil and energy ministers participating in the conference delivered their opening speeches before moving on to the conference’s discussion sessions.