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VIENNA, July 14 (KUNA) -- The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) said on Monday that the 9th International seminar, recently organized in Vienna, marked a pivotal moment in international cooperation in the energy sector and consolidated OPEC's position as a pivotal platform for dialogue and the formulation of future global policies in an increasingly complex world.
In a statement, the organization's media office said that the seminar witnessed high-level participation, with 23 ministers and government officials, 35 national and international company leaders, and 12 heads of international organizations, in addition to more than 1,000 participants in an intensive program that included three ministerial sessions and seven high-level roundtables with the participation of 71 speakers.
The statement said "in an energy landscape that is inherently complex, it is no easy task to succinctly summarize the many strands of OPEC's work.
However, the recently concluded, highly successful 9th OPEC International Seminar, which took place at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna, encapsulates so much about what our Organization represents, including its guiding ethos and essential function," the statement said.
"Firstly, the 9th OPEC Seminar demonstrated the Organization's convening power, welcoming 23 ministers and government officials, 35 leaders from national and international companies and institutions, and 12 heads of international organizations.
Overall, 71 speakers and seven moderators spoke across three ministerial panel sessions and seven high-level, round-table sessions. In total, the Organization welcomed over 1,000 participants.
Attracting panelists of this caliber speaks volumes.
OPEC remains a critical forum where industry stakeholders can meet counterparts, exchange views, and discuss pressing issues.
This convening power is also one of the reasons why 28 companies proudly sponsored our event and showcased their innovations at our exhibition," the statement noted.
"Secondly, the Seminar reflected the Organization's commitment to openness and transparency.
We teamed up with 24 media partners, encompassing a range of media outlets hailing from 13 countries spanning five continents.
Given OPEC's extensive range of dialogue partners and our determination to maximize our outreach, we place great value in engaging with a geographically and linguistically diverse range of media bodies.
This is why, over the Seminar's two days, we spoke to multiple reporters in several languages," the statement added.
"Thirdly, the 9th OPEC International Seminar coincided with many important anniversaries, including 56 years since OPEC held its first seminar.
Since 1969, OPEC seminars have attracted the industry's leading thinkers and decision-makers, evolving alongside the parameters in which the oil and gas industry operate.
The year 2025 is also a landmark, as OPEC celebrates 60 years of being headquartered in the beautiful city of Vienna.
The Organization's productive and fruitful relations with our Austrian hosts was embodied by the participation in the Seminar of HE Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer, Federal Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism.
Austria and OPEC continue to enjoy wonderful relations that symbolize the very best values at the heart of multilateralism," the statement said.
"Fourthly, the Seminar's success was reflected in its meaningful theme, 'Charting pathways together: the future of global energy.'
The concept speaks to OPEC's past, present and future. The term 'charting' resonates deeply within OPEC and OPEC+, recalling the ambition and foresight of our Founder Members, who, in 1960, sought to chart a new course for managing their energy industries.
Moreover, this spirit of innovation, determination, and cooperation is routinely on display through the 'Charter of Cooperation' between OPEC and non-OPEC producers," the statement added.
"The theme deliberately used the plural of pathway to underscore the fact that there is no one-size-fits-all formula for our energy future.
Every country and community must embark on its own pathway, taking into consideration national circumstances, and common but differentiated responsibilities.
Finally, the Seminar delivered powerful messages about future energy policy, which resonated across all panels.
The question that the Seminar addressed is how to strike a balance between achieving energy security, enhancing energy access, alleviating energy poverty and reducing emissions," the statement said.
"Additionally, there is a clear urge and desire to ensure that discussions on the world's energy future are grounded in energy realities. Analysis driven by ideology rather than objective data does not lend itself to informed policymaking.
Furthermore, policy aimed at improving our energy system cannot succeed unless rooted in an understanding of how that system functions today.
This need for data-driven analysis was one of the reasons OPEC launched the 2025 edition of its World Oil Outlook during the Seminar.
This flagship publication offers OPEC's robust analysis of the key trends for the future of energy and is very much grounded in energy realities," the statement said.
"One of these key realities is that oil will continue to be a central component of the energy mix for the foreseeable future. Furthermore, oil and oil-derived products are integral to modern civilization, necessary for daily life and every sector of the economy.
These actualities, combined with the fact that the world's population is projected to increase significantly, as is the global economy, means global energy demand and global oil demand will rise in the future.
Given these trends, it is vital that timely and adequate investments are made in the oil industry, today, tomorrow and in the future.
A policy environment that encourages such investment is a prerequisite in addressing all pillars of the energy trilemma.
The importance of energy security was stressed continuously throughout the Seminar," the statement added.
"A further key message was the importance of addressing energy poverty.
Over two billion people lack access to efficient cooking fuels.
Approximately 750 million people do not have access to electricity.
Their lived energy reality is very different to those in the developed world and must be at the forefront of considerations of our energy future.
The fact that these messages were so vocally endorsed by such a range of stakeholders underscores broad support for the points OPEC advocates," the statement said.
"Indeed, the 9th OPEC International Seminar offered a snapshot of the Organization's tremendous health on the eve of its 65th birthday.
In conclusion, OPEC would like to thank all participants for enriching discussions and lively and engaging panels.
Further thanks goes to everyone involved for their outstanding contributions in supporting the Organization deliver a truly successful 9th OPEC International Seminar," the statement added. (end)
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