BRAZZAVILLE, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- Secretary General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Haitham al-Ghais will visit the Republic of the Congo for an official visit on Jan. 17-20, said Congolese Minister of Hydrocarbons Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua here on Tuesday.
"This visit is of great importance for Congo, as an active member of OPEC, and it testifies to our country's continued commitment to international cooperation in the oil sector," underlined the minister.
During his stay, the OPEC chief will participate in various meetings and discussions with the highest authorities of Congo. He will carry out field visits and meet with "key players in the Congolese oil industry, with the aim of strengthening collaboration and promoting initiatives aimed at supporting the stability of global oil markets", added the minister.
Congo has been a member of OPEC since 2018. It ranks third among crude producers in sub-Saharan Africa. The country is expected to produce 107.755 million barrels in 2024.
In late December 2023, the neighboring Angola, one of the largest oil exporters in sub-Saharan Africa, announced its withdrawal from OPEC, "in defense of its interests."
"Angola has always fulfilled its obligations and fought all the time to see OPEC modernize and help its members gain advantages. We feel that at this moment Angola gains nothing by staying in the organization and, in defense of its interests, decided to leave," said Diamantino Pedro Azevedo, the minister of mineral resources, oil and gas of Angola.
"When we see that we are in organizations and our contributions, our ideas do not produce any effect, it is better to withdraw. We joined in 2006 voluntarily and decided to leave now also voluntarily. And this is not an unconsidered, impulsive decision," said the minister.
Days after Luanda's decision to exit, Brazzaville soon reaffirmed its commitment to the OPEC. "The Republic of the Congo reaffirms its steadfast commitment to the strategic policy defined by the Secretary-General of OPEC and OPEC+," Itoua said. "Congo is committed to continuing close and constructive collaboration with all member countries."
