Press Release

 

OFID pledges to become a hub of cooperation on
energy poverty alleviation

Human development and social responsibility programs are addressed at the 20th World Petroleum Congress

PR31/2011
Press inquiries:

Doha, Qatar, December 7, 2011. The Director-General of the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID), Mr. Suleiman J. Al-Herbish, today declared that Energy Sustainability was the greatest challenge facing humanity. He said there was no quick fix and that this would be a task for the coming decades - a long term commitment. Mr. Al-Herbish was speaking at a Special Session on Promoting Human Development through Innovative Social Responsibility Programs at the 20th World Petroleum Congress (WPC), holding in Doha, Qatar. OFID, Mr. Al-Herbish declared, was determined, along with other OPEC aid institutions, to be part of the solution, and will continue to expand its efforts via all means possible. Read Mr. Al-Herbish's full statement.

The 20th WPC, with the theme Energy Solutions for All, opened on December 4, with more than 5,000 delegates in attendance. Also represented at ministerial and chief executive (CEO) levels were producing and consuming countries as well as national and global oil companies. Speeches were delivered by presenters in a program covering all aspects of the petroleum and gas industry, from technological advances in upstream and downstream operations to the role of natural gas, renewable and alternative energy, the management of the industry and its social, economic and environmental impact.

Mr. Al-Herbish, at the head of a high-level OFID delegation, highlighted OFID’s own efforts at combating energy poverty. He took the opportunity to discuss the importance of social responsibility programs in promoting human development. He went on to inform the Session that OFID could serve as a hub of industry efforts toward accomplishing energy solutions for all. “At this special session of the Congress,” Mr. Al-Herbish declared, “we invite industries to join us in this noble cause. We have heard some encouraging remarks from different CEOs on this matter; and, therefore, OFID is offering to host a forum with industry representatives at its headquarters in Vienna, Austria, in 2012 with the objective of reviewing concrete ideas and proposals,” the Director-General concluded.

 

Arabic version