A: Introduction of OPEC

OPEC is short for ‘the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries’. It is founded at the Baghdad Conference on September 10–14, 1960, by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. The five Founding Members were later joined by nine other Members: Qatar (1961); Indonesia (1962) – suspended its membership from January 2009; Libya (1962); United Arab Emirates (1967); Algeria (1969); Nigeria (1971); Ecuador (1973) – suspended its membership from December 1992-October 2007; Angola (2007) and Gabon (1975–1994). OPEC had its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, in the first five years of its existence. This was moved to Vienna, Austria, on September 1, 1965 ( Source: official Website of OPEC)

In cooperation with its membership countries, the task of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) aim at coordinating and unifying the petroleum concerned policies of the international market, especially when the business has something to deal with its membership countries. As all the membership countries are the top petroleum exporting countries, which makes the mission of OPEC more significant. Among all the tasks, here are some main goals of OPEC:
• Ensure the stabilization of oil markets in order to
• Secure an efficient, economic and regular supply of petroleum to consumers
• A steady income to producers and a fair return on capital for those investing in the petroleum industry.

The cooperation of OPEC are multi-sides. For the benefits of the petroleum exporting countries, it works closely with its membership countries. In the same time, the consuming countries another part, OPEC has to have close dialogue. As presented during the visit, Europe, Russia, China are the major consumers countries. ‘Round table’ has been held regularly in order to make the petroleum market stable.
Each 2 years, a membership meeting will be held officially in Vienne, it is held normally in Summer/ Winter vacation time, as the majors consumers are in the period of Vacation, the needs of Petroleum has been increased. For the aim of stabilize the market, this 2 years meeting is a must.

B: OPEC and Environmental protection.

A long advocated responsible stewardship of the environment has been engaged by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) . With the long-term outlook suggesting fossil fuels as well as the bulk of global energy needs, OPEC has realized the vital needs to protect the environment in order to support sustainable development.
During the meeting, I asked the measures which OPEC have adopted for the aim of environmental protection. OPEC staff cleared that there are basically 2 levels cooperation.
• The initiatives taken by each membership, to achieve environmental protection within its own boards.
• The initiatives adopted by OPEC as an international organization, working in a global level, with other international organization.

For example, Algeria, as a membership country, they have a village in which all the energy is supplied by solar energy. Apart from it, All OPEC Member Countries are signatories to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) , they have a high priority to environmental protection. In the structure of OPEC, the environmental protection department is a highly important service. They have a high presence in international environment meetings, global negotiations related to climate change.
Here is the statement of OPEC’s Secretary General to the High-Level Segment of the Conference of the Parties (COP) / Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP) — organized annually by the UNFCCC.
Source: OPEC official website

‘ Mr. President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning,

On behalf of OPEC and its Member Countries, I would like to offer my sincere appreciation to the people and Government of Poland for hosting this conference, and for their excellent arrangements and warm hospitality.

Climate change is a concern for us all. Thus, negotiations to develop an agreement by 2015 and raise the level of ambitions for the pre-2020 period are extremely important.

We have made some progress. But there is much left to be done.

Our common objective is the full, effective and sustained implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Its success, however, requires transparent, inclusive, comprehensive and country-driven negotiations that take into account the interests of all Parties.

It is important that already agreed commitments are met. And it is crucial that Parties that have agreed to Kyoto’s second commitment period proceed quickly with ratification, while other developed country Parties should make comparable commitments too.

Another key building block towards success is raising the level of ambitions for all Parties for the period up to 2020 — in mitigation and adaptation, as well as in the means of implementation.

During the last two years, the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action (or ADP) contributed to a fruitful exchange of views on the scope, structure and design of the 2015 agreement. As it now enters a crucial phase leading to a negotiating draft, it is important to recall that the ADP’s work and its outcome should both be “under the Convention”.

It means it should be consistent with — and adhere to — all the principles and provisions of the Convention, including the principle of ‘common but differentiated responsibilities’. And it should be comprehensive, in particular, with regard to mitigation, adaptation, financial resources, technology transfer and capacity-building.

In addition, social and economic development and poverty eradication remain overriding priorities for developing countries, the fundamental differentiation that exists in the Convention between developed and developing countries should not be blurred. This must be reflected in the 2015 agreement. Furthermore, the work of the ADP should address the potential adverse economic and social impacts of response measures on developing countries.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

It is imperative that the provisions contained in the Framework Convention and the Kyoto Protocol should be fully implemented — and included throughout the ADP process.

This is needed to minimize any adverse impacts and assist OPEC Member Countries and other developing countries to adapt — by diversifying their economies, strengthening their resilience, and enhancing increased investment and technology transfer.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

Environmental protection and sustainable development continue to be of great importance to our Member Countries. Voluntary initiatives in these areas are being carried out every day. These include investing in carbon capture and storage, reducing gas flaring, developing hybrid solar-gas power stations and solar-powered desalination units, and producing cleaner petroleum products.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

In conclusion, I wish to reiterate that OPEC’s Member Countries are committed to achieving an effective and comprehensive outcome based on full consensus — and that is in full compliance with the UNFCCC.

Thank you’

C: Working for OPEC

OPEC is a huge organization, but surprisingly, inside its headquarter, all the staffs are actually a small working group of 120 person. Their official working language is English, and 2 types of jobs can be offered by OPEC.
• Positions open to membership nationality
• Positions open to all nationality
Environmental students can also be offered intern inside.