The country is preparing to hold the "Baghdad International Energy Forum" on September 6 and 7, with a wide international presence and interactive sessions with international institutions specialized in the field of energy.
The forum's executive director, Ahmed Al-Wandi, said in an interview with Al-Sabah: "This forum, which is held for the first time in Iraq, which is the second largest producer in the Organization (OPEC) and one of its founders, and Iraq's exports are equivalent to more than 8 percent of global energy consumption, is an important platform within the energy and oil world," he said, adding: "However, the previous events and situations that Iraq went through did not allow it to be proactive in establishing its own sustainable platform to present its own message and visions."
Al-Wandi added that "recent years have given a space of stability and the possibility of reaching such a platform, with the clear and strong support of Prime Minister Mohammed Shi'a Al-Sudani," noting that "there is a vision to start establishing the first (sustainable platform) for Iraq in the framework of energy, through which to send messages that are consistent with the visions of OPEC, similar to other member countries, such as Aramco in Saudi Arabia, KPC in Kuwait and ADNOC in the United Arab Emirates."
"Through this platform, Iraq will have a special vision on fossil fuels and the transition towards clean energy," he said, explaining that "the forum will witness the discussion of these topics at a high level of attendance, represented by the Prime Minister and the Secretary General of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Haitham Al-Ghais, and other Arab and foreign ministers concerned with this issue."
"This first official state forum will be sponsored by the Oil Marketing Company (SOMO)," Al-Wandi said, noting that "the forum will be held annually at the same time in Iraq and recorded in international forums, where specialists in the world of energy meet to discuss the latest developments, challenges and opportunities - not only in Iraq - but in the entire world."
He explained that "the forum will be over two days, and the first day will witness a session for energy ministers in the region in the presence of Iraqi Oil Minister Hayan Abdul Ghani, and the second will be for the heads or representatives of international oil companies operating in Iraq or their representatives and original heads."
"On the second day, there will be a session dedicated to reviewing OPEC's annual report, which will be interactive and chaired by the head of the organization's energy department, a special session for the Qatari Minister of Energy and the CEO of Total, as well as a special platform for energy and economic agencies concerned with supply and demand and reading oil prices, and a special session on gas by large companies concerned and specialized in this regard, and a representative from the Organization of Gas Exporting Countries," Al-Wandi pointed out.
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