Al Ghais Affirms Algeria’s Central Role in OPEC

OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais recently affirmed Algeria's central and historical role within the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, emphasizing that the Declaration of Algiers serves as a foundational pillar for cooperation among oil-producing nations. Speaking during an interview broadcast by public television, Al Ghais also praised the nation's consistent commitment to the organization's decisions. These remarks followed his meeting with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, whom he described as offering a warm welcome in Algeria, which he referred to as his "second country."

The Secretary General recalled the historical significance of Algeria, noting that the very first summit bringing together leaders and heads of government of OPEC member countries was held in Algiers in 1975. He further elaborated on the Declaration of Algiers, initially adopted in September 2016 and now widely recognized as the OPEC+ agreement. This pivotal declaration led to the establishment of a high-level committee responsible for implementing its recommendations, a committee that was notably chaired by Algeria. This leadership extended to defining the frameworks and mechanisms that continue to guide OPEC+ operations today.

Al Ghais underscored that the Cooperation Charter of OPEC+ is not solely focused on supporting the stability of oil markets but also opens new avenues for collaboration across various domains. He characterized the OPEC+ agreement as historical, predicting it will remain a significant reference for future studies of the energy industry and markets. The Secretary General highlighted that President Tebboune and the Algerian government actively support OPEC and its collective efforts, reinforcing Algeria's enduring influence and dedication to global energy stability and cooperation.