Saudi Arabia to Host World Petroleum Council

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz Bin Salman with the President of the World Petroleum Council, Pedro Miras (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz Bin Salman with the President of the World Petroleum Council, Pedro Miras (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia to Host World Petroleum Council

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz Bin Salman with the President of the World Petroleum Council, Pedro Miras (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz Bin Salman with the President of the World Petroleum Council, Pedro Miras (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz Bin Salman signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the President of the World Petroleum Council, Pedro Miras, outlining plans for Saudi Arabia to host the 25th edition of the Conference in 2026.

The World Petroleum Conference accepted Saudi Arabia's bid to host and organize the 25th edition of the Conference and its accompanying exhibition in Riyadh in 2026.

The decision was made during the Youth Conference organized by the World Petroleum Council in Almaty, Kazakhstan, last October.

Saudi Arabia's bid to host the Conference received substantial international support, with the Ministry of Energy playing a pivotal role in the nomination process.

The World Petroleum Conference is held once every three years. It is a prominent global event that brings together countries and international organizations to foster cooperation across various energy sectors and address key challenges facing this critical industry.

The Conference draws considerable attention from experts, journalists, and the general public.

Established in 1933, the World Petroleum Council serves as the organizing body of the Conference, providing a balanced platform for stakeholders worldwide to engage in discussions concerning the oil and gas sector.

The Council's core focus is on harnessing scientific advancements within the oil and gas industries, facilitating technology transfer, and promoting the sustainable utilization of petroleum resources worldwide for the collective benefit.

Saudi Arabia, represented by the Ministry of Energy, is actively participating in the 24th edition of the World Petroleum Conference in Calgary, Canada, from Sep. 17 to 21, 2023.



Saudi Commerce Minister Heads Delegation to Discuss Emerging Trends in Digital Trade Law in Austria

Saudi Minister of Commerce Majid Al-Kassabi speaks at the workshop in Vienna. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Commerce Majid Al-Kassabi speaks at the workshop in Vienna. (SPA)
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Saudi Commerce Minister Heads Delegation to Discuss Emerging Trends in Digital Trade Law in Austria

Saudi Minister of Commerce Majid Al-Kassabi speaks at the workshop in Vienna. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Commerce Majid Al-Kassabi speaks at the workshop in Vienna. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Commerce and National Competitiveness Center (NCC) Chairman of the Board of Directors Majid Al-Kassabi participated in the high-level workshop, "Emerging Trends in Digital Trade Law," in Vienna.

The event was organized by the NCC in cooperation with the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL).

Al-Kassabi headed a delegation of 32 officials representing 20 government entities who participated in the workshop sessions held on Thursday and Friday. The workshop was also attended by Saudi ambassador to Austria Dr. Abdullah bin Khalid Tawlah and UNCITRAL Secretary-General Anna Joubin-Bret.

During the opening session, Al-Kassabi said the growing global adoption of digitization has transformed trade, making it more efficient, reliable, and transparent. He emphasized that leveraging advanced and emerging technologies has reshaped local and international trade as well as consumer behavior, noting that Saudi Arabia is keeping pace with the trend through economic reforms.

Joubin-Bret noted that digital trade plays a pivotal role in shaping the international trade landscape, explaining that UNCITRAL and its partners, including Saudi Arabia, are working to establish international trade laws that support digital trade. She also the need for member states to collaborate on laws that bolster the digital economy.

In the first working session, Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation Deputy Director José Raúl Perale discussed the latest developments in global digital trade law and comprehensive trade digitization.

The participants in the workshop included the Ministries of Commerce, Justice, Finance, Economy and Planning, Industry and Mineral Resources, Energy, Foreign Affairs, and Education; the General Authority for Foreign Trade; the Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority; the Capital Market Authority; the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority; the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence; the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers; the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA); the Board of Grievances; the National Competitiveness Center; and the Bankruptcy Commission.