Secretary General Noe van Hulst participated in the 3rd International Energy Week in Moscow, 22-24 October 2008 and made a presentation on 22 October 2008. 

Secretary General of the IEF, Noe van Hulst, participated in the Seminar organized by the NATO Parliamentary Assembly/Mediterranean and Middle East Special Group and the United Arab Emirates/Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs  in Abu Dhabi, 8-9 October 2008. He gave a presentation on 8 October in Session II on The Energy Security Challenge. 

A presentation by IEF Secretary General, Noe van Hulst based on the joint-paper for the Jeddah Energy Meeting, prepared by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the International Energy Agency (IEA),   the International Energy Forum (IEF), and the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) 

The Secretary General of IEF, Noe van Hulst, has participated in the 2008 Petroleum Economics Executive Symposium in Bangkok, 26-28 May 2008. On 26 May 2008 he delivered a Key Note Address 'The Global Dialogue on Energy' 

The Secretary General of the IEF, Noe van Hulst, published an article on the key messages from the IEF Ministerial in Rome, April 2008, in Middle East Economic Survey (MEES), vol. 51, No. 21, 26 May 2008. 

The Secretary General of IEF, Noe van Hulst, participated as a speaker in the Athens Summit 2008 – Global Climate & Energy Security, 5-7 May 2008. He spoke about "The IEF 2008 & Global Energy Security". 

IEF Secretary General's  Presentation to Ministers, 11th International Energy Forum, Rome, 20-22 April 2008 

IEFS Energy Director, Said Nachet, attended the 9th International Oil Summit in Paris on 10 April 2008. He also made a presentation on “Challenges in the Oil Industry: New Cooperation avenues” 

IEF Secretary General Noe van Hulst attended the AFROLAC Meeting of Energy Ministers in Cancun on 3 April 2008. He also made a presentation on ‘energy security for all’ , focussing on the upcoming IEF Ministerial in Rome on 20-22 April 2008. 

Presentation by Secretary General, Noe van Hulst to ambassadors of IEF countries on the outlook for the Secretariat's Work Program for 2008-2009, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 30 January 2008. 

Energy and environment is centre-beam in the international political spotlight of our day. Energy security continues to top the political agenda for energy importing as well as exporting countries, for industrialized as well as developing economies. We are all “addicted” to energy. Because each and every country needs energy to reach its economic and social objectives. Energy also affects commercial and political relations between countries. It fuels the world economy. Production and consumption of energy impact the global environment. Energy influences, and is influenced by, international politics. Energy is a challenge for the industry set to harness it. And a challenge for the national an  ...

Energy and environment is centre-beam in the international political spotlight of our day. Energy security continues to top the political agenda for energy importing as well as exporting countries, for industrialized as well as developing economies. We are all “addicted” to energy. Because each and every country needs energy to reach its economic and social objectives. Energy also affects commercial and political relations between countries. It fuels the world economy. Production and consumption of energy impact the global environment. Energy influences, and is influenced by, international politics. Energy is a challenge for the industry set to harness it. And a challenge for the national an  ...

It is an honour and pleasure for me to address and co-chair with Minister Khristenko this inaugural session on “Global Energy Security and Efficiency” of the Second International Energy Week in Moscow. May I congratulate you on having established a major annual event in the mosaic of international activity that strengthens energy dialogue and co-operation for global energy security. You are providing a fruitful, recurring opportunity for governments, representatives of industry as well as academic and other energy experts to interact at a time of heightened energy security concern around the world. And very importantly at a time when Russia has reassumed its global position as a super produc  ...

May I first commend H.E. Victor Khristenko, Minister of Industry and Energy of the Russian Federation and H.E. Koichiro Matsuura, Director General of UNESCO, on convening this important Ministerial Conference at a time of heightened energy and environmental concern around the World. I am honoured to share some perspectives on “Energy in a Changing World” from the vantage point of the global dialogue at Ministerial level in the International Energy Forum.The United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development held its 15th Session earlier this month. The good news from the Session was yet another consensus expression on the global scene of the importance of energy for sustainable economic an  ...

We are celebrating at this 15th Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development the 20th Anniversary of the report of World Commission on Environment and Development - “Our Common Future”. It highlighted among other things the importance of energy for sustainable economic and social development. It recommended that new mechanisms for encouraging dialogue between consumers and producers be explored. The informal dialogue among Ministers in the International Energy Forum dates back to a proposal by the Chair of the Commission, and Prime Minister of Norway, Dr. Brundtland following up that particular Commission recommendation. The 10th in the ensuing series of International   ...

May I thank Their Excellencies Minister Al Naimi of Saudi Arabia, host country of the IEF Secretariat, and Minister Amari of Japan for convening this Second Asian Ministerial Roundtable at a very important point in time. When energy security continues to top the political agenda worldwide. For energy importing as well as exporting countries, for industrialized as well as developing economies. In Asia and elsewhere. The IEF Secretariat is proud to be associated with your pan Asian endeavour as part of our efforts to deepen the global dialogue in the International Energy Forum The Riyadh Roundtable is taking place at a time also of energy uncertainties that are prompting some countries and gro  ...

My “new avenue” in this first Oil Summit session on “New Co-operation Avenues” is the broadening and deepening of an existing one - producer-consumer dialogue. At a time, when Energy Security continues to top the political agenda worldwide. For energy importing as well as exporting countries, for industrialized as well as developing economies. Our time of heightened energy concern is also a time of uncertainties that are prompting some countries and groups of countries to re-think fundamental energy policies. And the policy tuning of one country to meet new challenges and to reduce its particular energy uncertainties can in itself exacerbate existing uncertainties or create new ones for othe  ...

The 8th OMC has gathered Ministers and leaders of the petroleum industry at a time when Energy Security continues to top the political agenda worldwide. For energy importing as well as exporting countries, for industrialized as well as developing economies. Our time of heightened energy consciousness is also a time of uncertainties that are prompting some countries and groups of countries to re-think fundamental policies. And the policy tuning of one country to meet new challenges, or to reduce its particular energy uncertainties, can in itself exacerbate uncertainties, or create new ones, for others. Not least considering the interrelationship between energy, environment and economic develo  ...

The 8th OMC has gathered Ministers and leaders of the petroleum industry at a time when Energy Security continues to top the political agenda worldwide. For energy importing as well as exporting countries, for industrialized as well as developing economies. Our time of heightened energy consciousness is also a time of uncertainties that are prompting some countries and groups of countries to re-think fundamental policies. And the policy tuning of one country to meet new challenges, or to reduce its particular energy uncertainties, can in itself exacerbate uncertainties, or create new ones, for others. Not least considering the interrelationship between energy, environment and economic develo  ...

Visiting China one can only be humble. Developments in your country are truly breathtaking. And they are not only of domestic Chinese interest and importance. T he way in which China chooses to meet challenges in economic development, energy security and safeguarding the environment will quite substantially influence the global scenario as well. China’s impressive economic growth is reflected in her rapidly increasing and record level imports of oil. Now the second largest importer of crude oil in the world, China’s oil imports are set to increase substantially in the years ahead, strongly affecting global markets. It should be no surprise that the world is watching and listening to China. A  ...

The Joint Oil Data Initiative is a concrete outcome of the producer-consumer dialogue. It is a response to the political call for the better data and more transparency that are so important for efforts to enhance global energy security. It is a pleasure for me, on behalf of the International Energy Forum and our partner organizations, to welcome you to this Regional JODI Training Workshop for Sub-Saharan African Countries, graciously hosted by the Government of South Africa. We are greatly honoured that H.E. Buyelwa Patience Sonjica, the Minister of Minerals and Energy of South Africa, has kindly consented to inaugurate the workshop. We are very much looking forward to her address. Not least  ...

Thank you for visiting our Headquarters here in Riyadh. I am happy for this opportunity to introduce the Secretariat and the global political level dialogue between energy producing and consuming countries in the International Energy Forum, which it has been set up to support. From the vantage point of that global dialogue, I will suggest some of the energy challenges that we see head. And why deepened dialogue is important if we are to successfully meet those challenges. At a time of heightened energy consciousness and energy security concern around the world. The global dialogue on energy in the IEF is unique in that it transcends traditional political, economic and energy policy dividing   ...

I am greatly honoured to present some perspectives on energy security to this important gathering of Ministers of Arab and other countries in a region of long-standing and increasing importance to global energy security. A region blessed with ample reserves of oil and natural gas. I will do so from the vantage point of the global producer-consumer dialogue at the level of Ministers in the International Energy Forum. The global dialogue on energy in the IEF transcends traditional political, economic and energy policy dividing lines in an ever-more interdependent world. It gathers under one global umbrella Ministers not only of the petroleum exporting countries of OPEC and OAPEC as well as Min  ...

It is a pleasure to welcome you all to this 6th International JODI Conference in Riyadh. I do so on behalf of the Secretariat of the International Energy Forum and our partners - the pioneers of JODI – the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC), the European Union through Eurostat, the International Energy Agency (IEA), the Latin-American Energy Organisation (OLADE), the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the United Nations through their Statistics Division. Together we cover the world. Most countries more than once.A special welcome to H.E. Ali I. Al-Naimi, the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, who has kindly consented to gi  ...

Let me first of all commend the Energy Charter Secretariat, the International Energy Agency and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe on convening a timely discussion on “The Role of Governments and International Organisations in Promoting Energy Security”. I am honoured to share some perspectives on the further development of the producer-consumer dialogue from the vantage point of the International Energy Forum in this opening session on “The International Energy Scene after the St. Petersburg Summit”. I will do so not only in light of the support to the IEF and dialogue expressed by the G8 Heads of Government in St. Petersburg. But also against the backdrop of the 10th   ...

As we meet, energy security concern tops the political agenda worldwide. And let us face it up-front. We are all “addicted to energy”. Not as an end in itself. But as a means. We need it to reach economic and social objectives in each and every country. Energy also affects commercial and political relations between countries. It fuels the world economy and impacts the environment. Energy influences international politics and international politics influence energy developments. Energy is a challenge for the industry set to harness it. And a challenge for the national and international political leadership that would govern it. The world will need more and cleaner energy, used in a more effic  ...

I am greatly honoured by your invitation to present the International Energy Forum and some perspectives on energy security to this Special Meeting of the Permanent Council. And it is always a personal pleasure to return to Vienna, where I served as Norway’s bilateral Ambassador to Austria as well as Ambassador to the UN Organisations up until end 2003. My perspectives will be global and I hope useful as a backdrop to the OSCE’s inter-regional and intra-regional scope of activity. This at a time of heightened energy consciousness around the world. After introducing the unique character and scope of the political level dialogue in the IEF, I will briefly re-track the road from producer-consum  ...

The splendour of the Hofburg reminds us of a time, almost 200 years ago, when the European powers of the day embarked on a New Political and Diplomatic Era. They established at their Congress of Vienna a new order for management of international affairs following years of military conflict and political volatility. That New Era lasted half a Century or so, double the time span of energy market outlooks that fuel discussions at international energy seminars of our day. The Regal Halls of the Hofburg call, I feel, for humility when embarking on the theme of “Producer –Consumer Relations in a New Era”.Heightened Energy Consciousness“Era” is a very big three-letter word. The challenges, opportun  ...

The Joint Oil Data Initiative, JODI for short, is increasingly being recognized as a unique international co-operative vehicle to more transparency and less volatility in the oil market. JODI can thus contribute to better predictability for investment decisions crucial to overall energy security. It is an achievement of the producer-consumer dialogue at political level in the International Energy Forum. G8 Heads of Government emphasized the importance of JODI in their St. Petersburg Plan of Action for Global Energy Security, adopted at the G8 Summit last month. The G8 plan of Action also underscored the importance of the producer-consumer dialogue in the International Energy Forum. At the 10  ...

Gas is going global at a time of heightened energy consciousness around the world. Energy security is at the top of the political agenda for energy importing as well as exporting countries, for industrialized as well as developing economies. National policies are being tuned to energy demands and uncertainties. And the policy tuning of one country to reduce its individual uncertainties can in itself create new energy uncertainties for others. This timely 23rd World Gas Conference has highlighted our increasing reliance on natural gas as national and global energy security imperatives are being addressed.Geopolitics have traditionally determined to a great degree what could, or could not, be   ...

The IEF Secretariat is honoured to host this regional presentation of the World Energy Council’s Energy Policy Scenarios to 2050. Hopefully some of us will still be alive and kicking at that point in time to see how accurate or inaccurate the Scenarios suggested today will prove to be. Whether these scenarios are good or bad, it is, I think, important to note the words of a German scientist who said that “trends and scenarios are not destiny, unless man chooses to make them so”. And we have sitting around this table senior Government energy officials, Ambassadors and other diplomats as well as representatives of industry and media, who have a measure of influence on future developments. If t  ...

It is an honour for me to highlight the global, political level producer-consumer dialogue in the International Energy Forum at this 4th OPEC – IEA Workshop. “Global Oil Demand” is certainly a timely theme. At a time of heightened global energy consciousness, it is important that OPEC and IEA, the two major producer and consumer organizations, address the outlook for, and uncertainties related to, oil demand. Not only on their own, but also jointly, as today, with prominent experts from governments, industry and institutions. And not least hosted by Norway. An industrialized country participating in the IEA with her main political and trading partners. And a major petroleum-exporting country  ...

At the Seventh Arab Energy Conference in Cairo four years ago, the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources of Saudi Arabia, H.E. Ali Al-Naimi underscored the Kingdom’s long-standing interest in promoting dialogue between oil producing and oil consuming countries. He made reference to the proposal by then Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, now Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah ibn Abdulaziz Al Saud, to set up in Riyadh a permanent Secretariat for the International Energy Forum.That Royal vision has since been translated into reality. The establishment of the IEF Secretariat in December 2003 is a manifestation of international co-operative commitment. Our new headquarter premises  ...

The 10th International Energy Forum Ministerial was held in Doha, Qatar two weeks ago. 59 countries and six international organisations took part. Energy Ministers of both producing and consuming countries, including the major industrialized as well as developing countries, focused on energy security and the links between energy, environment and economic development. I am grateful for the opportunity to highlight some of their perspectives in our session today. Energy security concern is today at the top of the political agenda worldwide and not only for Energy Ministers. It is there because of its importance for economic and social development in each and every country. Energy affects comme  ...

This 14th UNCSD is putting a timely focus on energy. Energy is crucial for reaching the Millennium Development Goals. And energy security concern is today at the top of the political agenda world-wide. Energy is important for economic and social development in individual countries. Energy affects commercial and political relations between countries. Energy fuels the world economy and impacts the environment. Energy influences international politics and international politics influence energy developments. The Secretariat of the International Energy Forum is happy for the opportunity together with the UNDESA and our other partner organizations to host this side-event to present the Joint Oil   ...

The 10th International Energy Forum Ministerial was held in Doha, Qatar on 22-24 April hosted by H.E. Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, the Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Energy and Industry of Qatar, and co-hosted by China and Italy. The theme of the Ministerial was “Energy Security”. 59 countries and six international organisations took part. For those of you who like to look for historical dimensions, I may say that never before in the history of human civilization have so many energy ministers been gathered at any one place at any one time. It was, indeed, an impressive platform for deepening global dialogue on energy at a time of heightened energy consciousness around the world.  ...

Let me thank our host H.E. Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, the Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Energy and Industry of Qatar, and co-hosts China and Italy, for their commitment and efforts since the 9th IEF in Amsterdam to making this anniversary Ministerial in Doha such an impressive platform for deepening the global energy dialogue. The IEF is a unique global gathering of Ministers across traditional political, economic and energy policy dividing lines and affiliations. What better venue to discuss the cluster of issues related to global energy security? At a time of heightened energy consciousness around the world. The IEF Secretariat presented itself, and received your blessing,   ...

The 10th International Energy Forum is taking place at a time of heightened global energy consciousness. A unique gathering of energy Ministers across traditional political, economic and energy policy groupings and dividing lines in an ever-more interdependent world. You have focused on a cluster of issues related to energy security and the links between energy, environment and economic development. The IEF brings Ministers of energy producing and consuming countries, of industrialized and developing countries, together under one global umbrella. In addition to participating in plenary discussions, you are making good use of this unique venue for informal bilaterals and meeting point regiona  ...

Let me thank the Russian Presidency for inviting the Secretariat of the International Energy Forum, a “New Kid on the Block” of international energy entities, for the first time to your G-8 deliberations. I am honoured to have this opportunity to present to your very important gathering some perspectives on the need for global dialogue to promote energy security in a world of increasing interdependencies. You are meeting at a time of heightened global energy consciousness. Oil prices remain high and volatile amid also other energy security concerns. The G-8 Presidency of the Russian Federation is putting priority political focus on energy security. At a time, when the Russian Federation, wit  ...

Let me thank the Government of the Russian Federation for convening this timely International Conference on Energy Security in advance of the meeting of G-8 Energy Ministers later this week. I am honoured to present some perspectives on the need for global dialogue to promote energy security in a world of increasing interdependencies. G-8 Ministers will meet at a time of heightened global energy consciousness. Oil prices remain high and volatile amid also other energy security concerns. The G-8 Presidency of the Russian Federation is putting priority political focus on energy security. What better place to reflect on Global Energy Security than here in Moscow? At a time, when the Russian Fed  ...

I am greatly honoured to have the opportunity this evening to speak on an issue of increasing international importance. An issue where the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is playing a leading role. Energy security is at the top of the international political agenda. Dialogue between energy producers and consumers has emerged as the order of the day. And Riyadh is a focal point of that global dialogue endeavour.A few months ago, on 19 November 2005, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah ibn Abdulaziz Al Saud inaugurated the new headquarter premises of the Secretariat of the International Energy Forum generously provided by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia here in Riyadh. Last Saturday, I wa  ...

Few would dismiss the vision that the 21st Century is Asia’s Century. I am confident that Ministers around this table certainly would not. Asian and international energy co-operation will be crucial for that vision. Energy developments will have wider economic and political consequence in your region. The impact of regional Asian energy developments will be global. Let me thank our host H.E. Minister Aiyar for convening this meeting and for so eloquently sharing his Asian Energy Vision with us. I am greatly honoured to have this opportunity, from my global vantage point, to take part in this first Ministerial Roundtable of North and Central Asian Producers and Principal Asian Consumers with   ...

The Secretariat of the International Energy Forum is greatly encouraged to see so many key participants on the global energy scene gathered here in Riyadh on occasion of the official inauguration of our new headquarters by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia. Your presence testifies to the importance and potential of the producer-consumer dialogue in the IEF at a time when oil prices and energy security are a major global concern. This is a time for global energy dialogue to promote energy security and address the links between energy, environment and economic development in an increasingly interdependent world. The IEF is a unique vehicle for i  ...

President Putin and the other G8 Heads of Government expressed concern about high and volatile oil prices in their statement on the Global Economy and Oil at the Gleneagles’ Summit this summer. They emphasized the importance of the global dialogue on energy between Ministers of oil producing and oil consuming countries in the International Energy Forum. The G8 Heads of Government underscored the need for investments in energy infrastructure as well as the need for increased transparency and reliable data on oil supply, demand and stocks. They expressed their support of the Joint Oil Data Initiative, which the Secretariat of the IEF is now co-ordinating with the support of the IEA, OPEC and o  ...

Oil prices are in the headlines. They have been there for some time now. Energy security is again high on the political agenda. Government leaders are concerned. Oil importing, industrialised countries warn of the detrimental impact that high oil prices have on their individual economies and on the world economy. Oil-importing developing countries suffer even more than before from increasing oil import bills. Oil-exporting countries are producing what they can to help bring prices down. And making good money doing so. Surging demand in Asia, economic recovery, refinery bottlenecks as well as terrorist attacks and political uncertainties, and lately also hurricanes, are driving factors behind  ...

It is a pleasure being back in Delhi to sign with Dr. Pachauri a Memorandum of Understanding on co-operation between the Secretariat of the International Energy Forum and The Energy and Resources Institute. We are honoured to do this in the presence of the Hon’ble Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas of India, Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar. With this MoU, we are joining hands in our mutual endeavours to promote sustainable global energy development. We will put special focus on issues and activities related to energy security, efficient energy use and links between energy, environment and economic development.Top of the AgendaWe are signing this co-operative tie-up at a time when energy security   ...

The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe is putting timely focus on the Caspian Region at this High-Level Energy Security Forum. Caspian energy goes to the core of the broader focus that the UNECE is putting on the Eurasian Space this week at the 14th Annual Session of its Committee on Sustainable Energy. Caspian and wider Eurasian developments are assuming increasing importance in the global energy security context. I am happy for this opportunity to present the International Energy Forum and its endeavours to promote global dialogue on energy. Your presentations and discussions today give very relevant input to our preparations for the 10th IEF Ministerial that will take place in   ...

Two days after tomorrow, it will be exactly one year since the First EuroGulf Workshop was held in Riyadh. It was hosted by a newly established International Energy Forum Secretariat. It was the first external co-operative activity that we engaged in. I underscored then, from my IEF global energy dialogue perspective, the importance that must be attached also to inter-regional dialogue, such as yours between the European Union and the Gulf Co-operation Council, as part of the global dialogue. I am happy to be back with you a year later. The International Energy Forum Secretariat is associated with this concluding conference at which the EuroGulf Project will present its work and policy recom  ...

As we meet, oil prices are in the headlines. Energy security is again high on the political agenda. Government leaders are concerned. Oil importing, industrialized countries warn of the detrimental impact that high oil prices have on their individual economies and on the world economy. Oil-importing developing countries suffer even more than before from increasing oil import bills. Oil-exporting countries are producing what they can to help bring prices down. And making good money doing so. Surging demand in Asia, economic recovery, refinery bottlenecks as well as terrorist attacks and political uncertainties are driving factors behind the higher oil prices that we have today. If this shorte  ...

Oil prices are in the headlines. Energy security is again high on the political agenda. Government leaders are concerned. Oil importing, industrialized countries warn of the detrimental impact that high oil prices have on their individual economies and on the world economy. Oil-importing developing countries suffer even more than before from increasing oil import bills. Oil-exporting countries are producing what they can to help bring prices down. And making good money doing so. Surging demand in Asia, economic recovery, refinery bottlenecks as well as terrorist attacks and political uncertainties are driving factors behind the higher oil prices that we have today. If this shorter-term persp  ...

For the first time, energy ministers of the principal oil and gas importing and exporting countries in Asia are gathered for informal discussions on a regional basis of an issue of utmost national and international concern – energy security, stability and sustainability.The number of countries around the table is not great. But your clout as energy producers and consumers is. You represent more than half of the World’s population, the bulk of the World’s oil and gas reserves and the greater part of the surging global energy demand expected in the decades ahead. Asian economies have taken off. The gross domestic products of China, Japan and India are surpassed only by the USA. Few would dispu  ...

Oil prices are back in the headlines. At an all-time high in nominal terms. Energy security is again high on the political agenda. Government leaders are concerned. Oil importing, industrialized countries warn of the detrimental effects that high oil prices have on the world economy. Oil-importing developing countries suffer even more than before from increasing oil import bills. Oil-exporting countries are producing what they can to help bring prices down. And making good money doing do. Surging demand in Asia, economic recovery, refinery bottlenecks as well as terrorist attacks and political uncertainties are driving factors behind the high oil prices that we have today. If this shorter-te  ...

The International Energy Forum Secretariat takes pride in co-chairing this roundtable session on “Energy Co-operation in Eastern Eurasia and Asia-Pacific Region”. Eurasian is important not only for energy developments worldwide, but also in the wider economic and geo-political context. I am eager at this roundtable to learn from your Eurasian energy experience and perspectives. To understand better the challenges that you see. And how you propose to meet them. But first a few introductory remarks from my perspective, which is global. The International Energy Forum is the venue for informal dialogue between energy producing and consuming countries at the level of Ministers. The series of Mini  ...

Oil markets and energy security remain in the headlines. Political leaders are concerned. Oil importing, industrialized countries warn of the detrimental effects that high oil prices have on the world economy. Oil-importing developing countries suffer even more from increasing oil import bills. Oil-exporting countries are producing what they can to help bring prices down. Surging demand in Asia, economic recovery, refinery bottlenecks as well as terrorist attacks and political uncertainties are driving factors behind the higher level of oil prices. If this shorter-term perspective is challenging, the longer-term scenario is even more daunting. The increase in global energy demand foreseen in  ...

Oil markets and energy security are again in the headlines. Political leaders in oil-importing, industrialized countries warn of the detrimental effects that high oil prices have on the world economy. Oil-importing developing countries suffer from increasing oil import bills. Oil-exporting countries are producing what they can to help bring prices down. Surging demand in Asia, economic recovery, refinery bottlenecks as well as terrorist attacks and political uncertainties in the Middle East are seen as driving factors behind the higher level of oil prices. There has been a tightening of the supply demand balance and in simple terms there is no longer a comfortable cushion of spare capacity t  ...

We live in an interdependent world. Interdependence among nations across geographical borders. Interdependence across political, cultural and economic dividing lines. It is there for all to see and feel. And it is here to stay. Interdependence is a mantra of our day and age.It is difficult to imagine an area, where nations are more interdependent than in the confluence of energy, environment and economic development. It is good that nations realise their growing interdependence. It is even better when they acknowledge this in public statements. And it is best when they join hands and do something about it. Our Seminar theme “Petroleum in an Interdependent World” is a core issue as we find en  ...

I would like to present a "New Kid on the Global Energy Block". An international secretariat headquartered in Saudi Arabia. Its mission to facilitate and promote on a continuous basis the informal global energy dialogue at the level Ministers that takes place in the International Energy Forum. This political level dialogue stems back to an initiative by Norway's then Prime Minister Dr. Brundtland in the late 1980's. IEF ministerial meetings have focused on security of energy supply and demand, as well as on the links between energy, environment and economic development. Amsterdam Ministerial The 9th IEF Ministerial took place in Amsterdam 22-24 May. Sixty three countries and eleven  ...

Oil markets and energy security are again in the headlines. Political leaders in the oil-importing, industrialized countries warn of the detrimental effects that high oil prices have on the world economy. Oil-importing developing countries add their plight in devastating oil import bills. OPEC has responded to calls to increase official production quotas to help bring prices down. Experts refer to surging demand in Asia, economic recovery in the US, refinery bottlenecks especially in the US as well as terrorist attacks and political uncertainties in the Middle East as driving factors behind the higher level of oil prices we have had. Clearly, this is a time for producer-consumer dialogue. An  ...

Oil has again been in the headlines the last few days. Not only because of the suicide boat attack on the Basra terminal. We have also read the warning over rises in oil prices from the Chairman of the US Federal Reserve, Mr Greenspan. The Deputy Energy Secretary of the US added his voice advising OPEC to increase production. The President of OPEC said that the organisation is considering to increase the USD 22-28 price band established four years ago, while the Energy Minister of Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, confirmed his country's commitment to the current band. We also read the Executive Director of the IEA, the energy "watch-dog" of the industrialised countri  ...

Developments in China are breathtaking. And they are not only of domestic Chinese interest and importance. The way in which China chooses to meet challenges in economic development, energy security and safeguarding the environment will truly influence global developments as well. A topical case in point is how China's impressive economic growth is reflected in her rapidly increasing and record level imports of oil. China is now the second largest importer of crude oil in the world. China's oil imports are set to increase substantially in the years ahead strongly affecting global markets. The world is watching and listening to China. It wants and needs China as an active and responsible partn  ...

On behalf of the International Energy Forum Secretariat (IEFS), it is a pleasure and honour for me to welcome you to this first EUROGULF energy workshop. This is also the first workshop that the new Secretariat for the International Energy Forum, which was established here in Riyadh last December, is hosting. We wish the participants in the EUROGULF research project on EU-GCC energy relations every success. We hope that you in your deliberations at this and follow-on meetings succeed in your objective to develop new ideas for better co-operation in oil and natural gas affairs between your two important regional groupings. We will also follow with interest your follow-up workshop in Italy l  ...

Let me commend the IEA Secretariat on organising yet another successful meeting of experts from energy exporting and importing countries. And add a word of gratitude to the Royal Government of Thailand for their co-operation and support. IEA experts' meetings have played an important role in efforts to enhance what is a necessary global dialogue on energy. Addressing topical energy issues from the academic, technical and policy development perspectives, these meetings at experts' level give input to the political level discussions in the International Energy Forum. Two months ago, I took charge as the first Secretary General of the International Energy Forum. We are now in the process of set  ...

I am happy to be back to yet another very successful Delhi Summit on Sustainable Development. Being here gives a unique perspective on sustainable development. Not only because India is facing within her borders most of the challenges that have been addressed, but also because developments in this country will increasingly impact the global scenario. Let me thank Dr Pachauri and his staff at TERI for their impressive contribution to keeping the challenges of sustainable development alive and kickng on the international agenda. Two months ago, I took charge as the first Secretary General of the International Energy Forum to head its new international secretariat that is now being set up in Ri  ...

I am happy to be back at Windsor Castle for another retreat in good company to discuss energy issues of mutual concern and to benefit from the knowledge, experience and wisdom represented in this room. And I am honoured to lead off our roundtable discussion on the "Evolving Roles of International Organisations and the Private Sector in Energy Security and Stability". My intention is to do so from the perspective of my new job. This gives me a welcomed, early opportunity to briefly present the International Energy Forum and say a few words on the producer-consumer dialogue. Last month, I moved from Vienna with leave of absence from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway, to Riyad  ...