Abdulaziz bin Salman: KSA Keen on Achieving Concept of Sustainable Development

Minister of State for Energy Affairs and Minister of Housing signing a memorandum of understanding at the opening of the forum. Badr al-Ahmad, Asharq Al-Awsat
Minister of State for Energy Affairs and Minister of Housing signing a memorandum of understanding at the opening of the forum. Badr al-Ahmad, Asharq Al-Awsat
TT
20

Abdulaziz bin Salman: KSA Keen on Achieving Concept of Sustainable Development

Minister of State for Energy Affairs and Minister of Housing signing a memorandum of understanding at the opening of the forum. Badr al-Ahmad, Asharq Al-Awsat
Minister of State for Energy Affairs and Minister of Housing signing a memorandum of understanding at the opening of the forum. Badr al-Ahmad, Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Minister of State for Energy Affairs Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, who is also President of the Executive Committee of the Saudi Energy Efficiency Center, has assured the Kingdom’s keenness on achieving sustainable development in its three dimensions, economic, social and environmental.

He pointed out that the ministry of energy, industry, and mineral resources and other relevant agencies have efficiently participated over the past three decades in a number of sustainable development meetings.

“I am pleased to express my gratitude to the organizers of the forum, wishing it will contribute to achieving the goals in the field of housing sustainability and improving the quality of life for individuals and the society,” said Prince Abdulaziz in his speech Monday during the opening session of the Sustainable Housing Forum, which was organized by the Ministry of Housing in Riyadh.

The sustainability of cities and communities is one of the 17 sustainable development goals adopted in 2016 at the United Nations Summit on Sustainable Development.

It was linked to the other goals, particularly the seventh goal on clean energy, the eighth goal on decent work and economic growth and the 13th goal on climate change.

He added that Saudi Arabia, represented by the ministry of energy, has joined many global initiatives to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development goals, the most important of which are the Innovation Initiative, the Global Methane Initiative and the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) forum initiative.

Prince Abdulaziz pointed out the establishment of the Saudi Center for Energy Efficiency, which sought to cooperate with the Ministry of Housing to develop and enhance joint coordination through the development of programs and mechanisms that contribute to rationalize and raise the efficiency of energy consumption in urban plans, units, buildings and residential and commercial complexes.

He said that a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Housing and the Saudi Energy Efficiency Center has been signed, in order to ensure the application of the outcomes of Saudi Energy Efficiency Program in projects implemented, supervised, funded, or supported by the ministry.



OPEC+ to Boost Oil Production by 548,000 Barrels per Day in August

A view of the logo of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) outside their headquarters in Vienna, Austria, November 30, 2023. (Reuters)
A view of the logo of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) outside their headquarters in Vienna, Austria, November 30, 2023. (Reuters)
TT
20

OPEC+ to Boost Oil Production by 548,000 Barrels per Day in August

A view of the logo of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) outside their headquarters in Vienna, Austria, November 30, 2023. (Reuters)
A view of the logo of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) outside their headquarters in Vienna, Austria, November 30, 2023. (Reuters)

Eight members of the OPEC+ alliance of oil exporting countries say they will boost production by 548,000 barrels per day in August in a move that could further reduce gas prices this year.

Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, UAE, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman, met virtually on Saturday to review global market conditions and outlook.

The group had previously announced additional voluntary adjustments in April and November 2023.

The eight countries will implement a production adjustment of 548,000 barrels per day in August 2025 from July 2025 required production level in view of a steady global economic outlook and current healthy market fundamentals, as reflected in the low oil inventories, and in accordance with the decision agreed upon on December 5, 2024, to start a gradual and flexible return of the 2.2 million barrels per day voluntary adjustments starting from April 1, 2025.

This is equivalent to four monthly increments. The gradual increases may be paused or reversed subject to evolving market conditions. This flexibility will allow the group to continue to support oil market stability.

The eight OPEC+ countries also noted that this measure will provide an opportunity for the participating countries to accelerate their compensation. They reiterated their collective commitment to achieve full conformity with the Declaration of Cooperation, including the additional voluntary production adjustments that were agreed to be monitored by the JMMC during its 53rd meeting held on April 3, 2024.

They confirmed their intention to fully compensate for any overproduced volume since January 2024. The eight OPEC+ countries will hold monthly meetings to review market conditions, conformity, and compensation. They will meet on August 3, 2025, to decide on September production levels.