ABU DHABI, November 17, 2021 (WAM) – Mohammed Barkindo, Secretary General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), said the selection of the United Arab Emirates to host COP28 in 2023 in Abu Dhabi is a milestone important in the history of the event and a historic opportunity for the global energy sector to open a glorious new chapter in the transition to clean energy and to fight against climate change.

In his statement to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), on the sidelines of his participation in the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC) 2021, Barkindo congratulated the United Arab Emirates on being chosen to host COP28, which highlights their leading global stature and supports its aspirations to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

Hosting such a major international event in the United Arab Emirates is an important achievement that supports the country’s goal of leading international efforts in this strategic area, implementing distinguished initiatives and making significant investments in the low-carbon energy production, he added.

COP28 is very important, not only for the UAE but for all OPEC and non-OPEC member states and oil and gas industry players around the world, he said, congratulating them on United Arab Emirates, their rulers and their people.

Barkindo pointed out that the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) is a pioneering model of using advanced technologies to produce low-carbon energy, especially hydrogen, and strengthen supply chains. During ADIPEC 2021, it signed two agreements with the South Korean GS Energy and the Japanese Mitsui, as well as with Fertiglobe, to launch a joint project to produce a low-carbon blue ammonia plant. carbon in the TA’ZIZ industrial chemicals zone in Ruwais, highlighting that the UAE is leading international efforts to transform the energy sector.

Barkindo then underlined OPEC’s concern to benefit from the efforts and expertise of the United Arab Emirates in energy transition, expressing his joy to participate in the 37th edition of ADIPEC, and noting that the event marks the start of the post-pandemic COVID-19 era and the resumption of international activities.

He then praised the good organization of the event as well as the courage and professionalism of the United Arab Emirates in deciding to hold it in 2021 in Abu Dhabi to shape the future of the energy sector.