Kuwait’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Oil and Minister of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy Dr. Muhammad Al-Faris announced on Monday, that Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) members voted unanimously in favor of Kuwait’s candidate Haitham Al-Ghais to take over the position of Secretary-General of the organization from next August.
Al-Faris said in a press release issued by the Ministry of Oil, “I am pleased and honored to announce this good news to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, may God protect them, and to His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah,” reports Al-Jarida daily.
He indicated a short while ago that OPEC members during a special meeting agreed unanimously on the candidature of Kuwait as the next Secretary-General of the organization.
He explained the OPEC ministers during the meeting praised the positions and policies of the State of Kuwait and the qualifications and capabilities of the State of Kuwait’s candidate Haitham Al-Ghais, and accordingly the State of Kuwait was given the prestigious position.
Al-Faris thanked the Kuwaiti political leadership for the unlimited support and continuous directives that led to this great success that has been achieved today, praising in this regard also the positions and support of all brotherly and friendly countries for the support extended to the State of Kuwait and its candidate.
He stressed that this success today came as a result of tremendous work and efforts over the past three months among the various concerned state agencies, which coordinated among themselves and organized a campaign and moves at several levels with all OIC member states to mobilize the required support for the candidate of the State of Kuwait.
It is noteworthy that the State of Kuwait is one of the five countries that founded OPEC in 1960. The State of Kuwait also plays a prominent role in the various activities of the organization through its councils, committees and various technical activities.
The State of Kuwait also contributes to the agreement to reduce production signed between OPEC and non-OPEC countries, which is known as the “OPEC Plus” agreement, in addition to the fact that the State of Kuwait is a member of the Joint Ministerial Committee to monitor production.
The Secretary-General of the organization is primarily responsible for the daily management of the various administrative, financial and technical activities of the organization. He is also the official spokesperson for the organization in the media and represents it in various international activities and events.
The candidate of the State of Kuwait, Haitham Faisal Al-Ghais succeeds the current Nigerian Secretary-General, Muhammad Barkindo, whose term expires next July.
Haitham Al Ghais has held several positions in OPEC, including Governor of Kuwait at OPEC for the years 2017-2021, and Chairman of the Internal Audit Committee in 2020.
Al-Ghais also chaired the joint technical committee responsible for monitoring oil production.
As for the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, he previously headed its offices in Beijing and London and served as Director of the Research Department. Haitham Al-Ghais has 30 years of experience in the oil industry.
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