Doha, Qatar — Qatar’s minister of State for Energy Affairs Eng. Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi Monday called for enhanced efforts to address challenges and achieve complementarity among Arab countries to support their economic growth.
Speaking at the 12th Arab Energy Conference organized by the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC), he stressed the importance of addressing energy security challenges and called for increased investments in energy efficiency, low-carbon technologies, and renewable energy sources.
Minister Al Kaabi highlighted Qatar’s strategic decisions, investing billions in the LNG industry, and outlined plans to raise LNG production from 77 to 126 million tons by 2026. Emphasizing a need for a realistic and sustainable energy transition, he praised OAPEC’s role in monitoring global energy market developments.
“There is no doubt that our Arab countries are well positioned to develop the use of solar energy, especially because of their geographical location that provides an abundance of solar energy. Therefore, we have the responsibility to develop greater energy efficiency in the Arab world, in addition to strengthening legislative and regulatory frameworks to support a balanced energy transition,” he said.
OAPEC Secretary General Eng. Jamal Issa Al Loughani emphasized the conference’s focus on international energy market developments and their local and global implications. He underscored the challenges facing Arab oil and gas producers in building sustainable energy systems, calling for a careful balance between emission reduction, energy availability, and affordability.
Al Loughani noted Arab countries’ efforts in adopting international standards for a pollution-free environment, using clean technologies, and seeking a circular carbon economy. The transition to such an economy, he said, offers opportunities for innovative energy systems and technologies.
