OPEC International Seminar: 54 years in reshaping future of energy sector

VIENNA, 2nd July, 2023 (WAM) — Over the last 54 years, the OPEC International Seminar constitutes one of the most major events in the international energy calendar in reshaping the future of the global energy industry and its fair transition towards sustainability and addressing consequences of climate change.

The Emirates News Agency (WAM) has recently signed an agreement with the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), under which WAM will be a media partner for the 8th OPEC International Seminar to be hosted at the Imperial Hofburg Palace in Vienna, Austria, on 5th and 6th July 2023 under the theme, “Towards a Sustainable and Inclusive Energy Transition”.

According to the agreement, WAM will provide local, regional and international media coverage during the event and the Seminar Exhibition in a variety of languages.

Bridges of Collaboration & Dialogues

The first meeting, which brought together OPEC member states and global energy leaders in the Austrian capital Vienna in 1969, succeeded in building bridges of collaboration and dialogues between oil and gas producers and consumers, discussed opportunities and challenges and presented the latest industry technologies.

The OPEC’s flagship energy event continued its successes to witness growing expansion in terms of participation, size and its diverse agenda to include pressing issues like international finance, sustainable development and environment.

As part of OPEC’s persistent efforts to promote international cooperation and transfer and exchange knowledge, a series of key conferences were held over the past decades to discuss critical issues

dealing with oil, energy policies and environment.

The very first OPEC seminar, although not part of the present series, was held in Vienna on 30 June-5 July 1969, with the topical theme of ‘International oil and the energy policies of the producing and consuming countries’.

There was then a gap of more than eight years before the next seminar, which turned out to be the first in a mini-series, listed as follows:

-October 1977.
‘The present and the future role of the national oil companies’.
-October 1978.
‘Downstream operations in OPEC Member Countries: prospects and problems’.
-October 1979.
‘OPEC and future energy markets’.
-November 1981.
‘Energy and development; options for global strategies’.

The OPEC International Seminar is today regarded as one of the premier events on the world energy calendar.
Seminar participants customarily include Ministers from OPEC Member Countries, and other energy-producing and energy-consuming nations, as well as heads of intergovernmental organizations, chief executives of national and international oil companies, in addition to other industry leaders, academics, energy experts and the media.
The seminars have taken various forms over the years, but they have always had a wide reach across the energy sector and beyond.

The latest in the series of seminars, which began in 2001, has provided fresh impetus to key industry issues and developed existing and new avenues of dialogue and cooperation. Insightful presentations and panel discussions have sought to move the energy debate forward, with high-calibre speakers discussing a wide range of topical issues affecting the industry, both in the short and long term.

The seminars have increased in size and scope over the years, embracing, as time has passed, such related areas as global finance, sustainable development and the environment, and their reputation has grown steadily. While an early seminar in 1978 was attended by some 200 participants, there was nearly four times that number over three decades later in 2012. The 2018 instalment attracted a record 950 participants from over 50 nations.

Another decade passed before there was a one-off ‘Seminar on the environment’ in April 1992, to help acquaint OPEC Member Countries with key environmental issues in the build-up to the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in the June of that year.

The new and current series of the ‘OPEC International Seminar’ began one year into the New Millennium. It comprises:

-September 2001.
The First OPEC International Seminar (as it was then called), ‘OPEC and the global energy balance: towards a sustainable energy future’.
-September 2004.
The Second OPEC International Seminar, ‘Petroleum in an interdependent world’.
-September 2006.
The Third OPEC International Seminar, ‘OPEC in a new energy era: challenges and opportunities’.
-March 2009.
The Fourth OPEC International Seminar, ‘Petroleum: future stability and sustainability’
-June 2012.
The Fifth OPEC International Seminar, ‘Petroleum: fuelling prosperity, supporting sustainability’.
-June 2015.
The Sixth OPEC International Seminar, ‘Petroleum — an engine for global development’.
-June 2018.
The Seventh OPEC International Seminar, ‘Petroleum – cooperation for a sustainable future’
-July 2023.
The Eighth OPEC International Seminar, ‘Towards a Sustainable and Inclusive Energy Transition’.

Taking place in Vienna from July 5 to 6, the latest event is being convened amidst increasing geopolitical developments around the world, and state of global economic uncertainty and growing demand for energy.

It underscores the Vienna-based organisation’s efforts in achieving sustainable development and conserving the environment by steering the oil industry towards sustainability, innovation and deployment of modern technology.

This year’s seminar will feature a slate of high-level roundtables, ministerial sessions, and exhibitions.

OPEC member countries, oil-producing and consuming nations oil and energy companies, academics, and other industry experts will also be present in the two-day seminar.

Participants will address key issues and challenges facing the oil and energy industry, including energy transition, energy poverty alleviation, energy security, climate change policies, investment, technology, and innovation.

Gala Dinner

The Gala Dinner on the first evening of the Seminar is a vital element of the OPEC Seminar.

Held at the magnificent Vienna City Hall, this event will be the perfect occasion for casual discussions and networking. Furthermore, on the occasion of the Gala Dinner, the prestigious OPEC Awards will take place, making this a truly unforgettable evening.

Vienna’s City Hall is one of the most splendid amongst the numerous monumental buildings along the city’s Ringstraße. Designed by Friedrich Schmidt (1825-1891), it was erected between 1872 and 1883. The architecture along the Ringstraße is dominated by historicism, a unique style combining various architectural elements of the past. Friedrich Schmidt, however, focused on one particular epoch, designing City Hall in the Gothic style, with towers similar to Gothic cathedrals.

Today, City Hall is the head office for Vienna’s municipal administration and its more than 2,000 employees. Visitors are stunned by the magnificent state rooms, which frequently provide an historic background to various special events such as press conferences, concerts or balls.