Iran Press/ Europe: Multilingual Oil & Gas sector executive with 30 years of international experience, al-Ghais worked in International Oil and Gas Sales and Marketing and business development with regional and international experience acquired by holding key company positions in Kuwait, Beijing, and London. He has also held several positions in OPEC key bodies and supporting inter-governmental committees.
Haitham Al-Ghais, delivered his first address to the organization, expressing hope to please and represent all member countries.
At the Special Meeting of the OPEC held via video conference on Monday, January 3, 2022, Haitham al-Ghais said: "Member countries could consider me as their representative, and now I represent all members."
"I will take the organization to the next level with the members' support and help, and I will do my best to please all member countries despite the existing challenges," Al-Ghais said.
He also thanked the current OPEC Secretary-General, Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo, for his efforts in recent tough times, hoping to follow him in coming years.
OPEC's new secretary-general was elected via consensus, Iran's Minister Javad Owji said after the meeting.
Making decisions on the new OPEC secretary-general was the only meeting agenda. As we know, the current secretary-general (Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo) is due to step down at the end of July, he stated.
Introducing nominees for OPEC's new secretary-general was considered some time ago, and member countries were called at the 182nd Ordinary Meeting of OPEC Conference for announcing their nominees within two weeks.
Despite the call, Kuwait was the only country that officially announced its nominee for the position about two months ago, and none of the other OPEC member countries introduced a nominee for the post, he added.
Given the conditions and experiences of the Kuwaiti nominee, member countries reached a consensus at the meeting to appoint Haitham Al-Ghais as OPEC's new secretary-general for three years, Owji said.
"I wish him every success in his new position and through this challenging time of fossil fuels," he added.
The new secretary-general will begin his term as of July 2022.
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