OPEC Fund Training for Member Countries’ Representatives

Development work is team work. As the OPEC Fund is stepping up its outreach to its member countries a series of joint sessions and workshops demonstrated the strength of this shared approach. 

In April the OPEC Fund hosted a seminar for young lawyers from OPEC member states. General Counsel Violet George welcomed the participants and highlighted: “Partnerships are key to mitigating risk.” 

Following an introductory session about the OPEC Fund, its mission and its delivery of sustainable development, a panel explored the role of the private sector in financing energy transition projects. Panellists agreed that the role of the private sector goes well beyond financing as it is also the driving force of innovation and growth. 

The workshop at the OPEC Fund was part of a five-day programme organized by OPEC for 35 lawyers from nine member countries. Most of the participants were under 30 years old and more than half were women, working in ministries, regulators or state energy companies. 

Powei Lokpobiri, Senior Legal Officer at Nigeria’s Ministry of Finance, said: “I am here to learn more about the financing of energy projects.” Raising large amounts of investments often involves “complex cross-border transactions with complex legal structures,” for which information exchange is crucial. 

OPEC General Counsel Leonardo Sempertegui named three key things he wanted participants to take away from the workshop: “Increase your professional network, deepen your understanding of key legal aspects and realize the importance of social skills. It is not enough for a lawyer to have a brilliant brain. You also need to be able to negotiate and communicate to succeed.” 

Participants also had the opportunity to learn more about the OPEC Fund’s development work. “We are really impressed by your efforts,” said Maryam Karabalaie-Hassani, who works for the National Oil Company of Iran. “This is especially important in the challenging times we are all going through at the moment.” 

In May the OPEC Fund welcomed a group of officials and professionals from the member countries Algeria, Gabon, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Venezuela for a session on sustainable development as part of the 25th Annual Multi-Disciplinary Training Course, organized by the OPEC Secretariat. 

The interactive event provided participants with an opportunity to directly engage with experts from different departments and learn more about the OPEC Fund’s work to advance sustainable development. 

Participants were interested in learning about the OPEC Fund’s governance structure, operational model and the value it creates through its work. Said Taufik Ridha Director, Portfolio Management, Private Sector explained how the OPEC Fund works with businesses to deliver development solutions. “It’s important to look at the private sector not just as a financier, but also as a partner in innovation and scale,” he said. 

Fatma Elzahra Elshhati, Country Manager, Public Sector, outlined how the OPEC Fund supports public investments that improve lives, especially in energy, infrastructure, health and education. Başak Pamir, Head of Outreach, summarized: “Today was about sharing not just what we do, but why we do it and how we create value for our member and partner countries as well as communities around the world.”