By Teddy Nwanunobi
The Secretary General of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), HE Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, on Monday, began his mission to the Republic of the Congo by holding a bilateral meeting with Congo’s Minister of Hydrocarbons and Head of Delegation to the Organisation, in Brazzaville, HE Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua.
The meeting kicks off a four-day visit to OPEC’s newest Member Country. Congo joined the Organisation on 22 June 2018.
At the meeting, the Minister, who welcomed Barkindo and the accompanying delegation to Brazzaville, stressed that Congo will continue to play a key role in the OPEC’s affairs, from the point where his predecessor, Minister Jean-Marc Thystère-Tchicaya, left off.
Itoua also reiterated Congo’s unwavering commitment to the decisions and efforts of the OPEC and the Declaration of Cooperation (DoC) process, in which 10 non-OPEC oil-producing countries work with OPEC in interests of oil market stability.
During the meeting, Barkindo recalled the moment Congo joined the Organisation in 2018.
“Both OPEC and the Republic of the Congo have a come a long way in the years since, and it was truly a privilege to be OPEC Secretary General when the Organisation welcomed your country as the 13th OPEC member, and seventh from Africa, on 22 June 2018,” Barkindo stated,
Barkindo thanked Itoua for the ongoing, remarkable contributions provided by Congo to the Organisation and the DoC, especially the unparalleled efforts exerted by Congo’s President and Head of State, HE Denis Sassou Nguesso.
“Your President, His Excellency Nguesso, has been a staunch supporter of the work of OPEC and the DoC, and the Organisation recognises his exemplary leadership, acumen, great diplomacy and tact,” he said.
Barkindo also made reference to the rotating position of the Presidency of the OPEC Conference.
“We welcome your encouragement and backing, your guidance, and your voice, particularly as the Republic of the Congo undertakes the Presidency of the OPEC Conference in 2022.
“Let me stress that, as OPEC Secretary General, I am here to support the President in whatever way I can, and the OPEC Secretariat stands ready to work alongside you and your team, as we look to build on the success of the DoC in 2022,” he assured.
The meeting was attended by senior officials and heads of hydrocarbon companies situated in Congo.
The Secretary General attended a luncheon hosted by the Minister, following the conclusion of the meeting.
Later today, Barkindo will also meet with Congo’s Prime Minister, HE Anatole Collinet Makosso, at his office in the Congolese capital.
The agenda of the mission include: several high-level meetings, as well as visits to the Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC), Congo’s national oil company, and the Headquarters of the African Petroleum Producers Organisations (APPO).
The mission will conclude with a visit to Pointe-Noire, where the Secretary General will visit oil facilities and engage with oil companies.
Valuechain reports that Congo has played a leading role in OPEC’s success since becoming a member country at the 174th (Ordinary) Meeting of the OPEC Conference, which convened on June 22, 2018 in Vienna, Austria.
Prior to joining the historic DoC, the African oil producer attended meetings of the OPEC Conference as an ‘observer’ over many years and issued supportive statements for the DoC process.