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Haitham Al-Ghais is the first Kuwaiti to be elected as the Secretary-General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to begin his duties tomorrow

01-08-2022

Kuwaiti Secretary-General of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Haitham Al-Ghais said that he has aspirations and ideas that he will present in coordination with all member states aimed at advancing the organization and facing future challenges, the most important of which is maintaining the balance and stability of oil markets. In a statement to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) today, Al-Ghais, who is the first Kuwaiti citizen to be elected to this high position, expressed his thanks to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, may God protect him, and His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, may God preserve him, for the unlimited support of their Highnesses. And the high confidence in him as the country's candidate to fill this position. Al-Ghais, who will start his new position tomorrow, Monday, succeeding the late Nigerian Muhammad Barkindo, added that his recommendation by the 13 member states of the organization was the result of strenuous efforts and tireless work led by the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Oil and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Dr. Muhammad Al-Faris. He pointed out that his choice to fill this important position reflects the prestigious position enjoyed by the State of Kuwait within (OPEC), expressing his aspiration for the advancement and development of the organization. Al-Ghais will assume the duties of his position for a period of three years after he was recommended as the candidate of the State of Kuwait for this position on the third of last January in a special ministerial meeting held (remotely). The new Secretary General of (OPEC) Haitham Al-Ghais has extensive experience spanning nearly 30 years in the field of global oil markets and the oil industry, and has a wide presence and active participation in a number of international oil conferences and forums. Al-Ghais had held the position of Governor of Kuwait in (OPEC) from 2017 until 2021. He also chaired the joint technical committee between the organization and countries outside it, which is the committee responsible for monitoring production and studying the conditions of oil markets according to the production cut agreement signed between the countries contributing to the (OPEC +) agreement. . He chairs the internal audit committee of the organization and has various contributions within the organization and at the level of its board of governors, various committees and special works, in addition to cooperating with countries outside it. Al-Ghais was included in the global marketing sector of the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation in various sales departments, and headed the corporation's regional offices in Beijing and London, and was the Director of the Research Department and Deputy Managing Director of Global Marketing. He participated in many specialized studies of global markets of all kinds and enjoys wide support and deep-rooted relations with representatives of all member countries within the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and producing countries from outside it.