The Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Karim Badawi met with Jamal Essa Al-Loughani, Secretary-General of the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) to discuss ways to bolster Arab integration in the fields of oil, gas, and energy.

The meeting also reviewed efforts to restructure OAPEC and launch effective initiatives to develop its mission, in line with the resolution adopted by OAPEC’s Ministerial Council in December. The discussion aims to enhance the organization’s role in tackling the challenges facing member states’ economies and the energy industry, both regionally and globally.

Badawi welcomed Al-Loughani to Egypt and expressed full support for OAPEC’s restructuring and development initiatives. These efforts are expected to foster regional cooperation among Arab countries in the energy sector, encourage partnerships between organizations and companies, and optimally utilize the expertise and resources available among member countries. This, in turn, would accelerate development projects in the energy sectors of Arab countries.

Badawi also discussed the main pillars of the Ministry’s strategy: increasing production, optimizing the sector’s infrastructure, developing the mining sector, diversifying energy sources for an optimal mix, improving safety, enhancing energy efficiency, reducing emissions, and deepening regional cooperation. He highlighted that these pillars serve as essential foundations for new Arab partnerships in energy.

Furthermore, the minister proposed the establishment of a ‘Center of Excellence’ (COE), under the organization’s new framework.

Additionally, he emphasized the importance of implementing a unified Arab vision for marketing and transporting surplus green energy to European markets, making use of Egypt’s strategic geographical location as a gateway to Europe.

He also touched on SUMED–a project that sets a perfect example for Arab integration in energy transport and strategic storage from Egypt to Europe. Moreover, Badawi touched on the successful cooperation between Egypt and Saudi Arabia in the electrical interconnection project.

Meanwhile, Al-Loughani expressed his delight in visiting Egypt, and extended his appreciation to Badawi for Egypt’s remarkable support. He also praised the clear vision and integrated strategy of Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum, noting that it will be central for OAPEC to reach its objectives during the restructuring journey.

The Secretary-General also elaborated on OAPEC’s current efforts, in cooperation with a joint team of experts from member states, to implement practical steps in the restructuring process, include a range of initiatives to address numerous challenges.

He emphasized the significance to capitalize on the resources and capabilities available in Arab countries. He focused on the great importance of enhancing cooperation among them through future projects that optimize the utilization of energy resources, expand knowledge and expertise transfer, and conduct joint research with Arab academic institutions.

According to the ministry’s statement, the Secretary-General will continue his meetings in Cairo to explore opportunities for expanding cooperation between OAPEC and Egyptian petroleum sector entities, including natural gas with the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS), petrochemical industries with the Egyptian Petrochemical Holding Company (ECHEM), and training programs and workforce development with the ENPPI. He also plans to visit the Arab Petroleum Pipelines Company (SUMED).