OPEC Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries

OPEC Celebrates its 62nd Anniversary

The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries celebrated the 62nd anniversary of its founding this week.

September 16, 2022

Weekly Briefing: Latest Developments in Diplomacy

The Find out more about this week's developments. Austrian policymakers are concerned with inflation and energy issues. Read about the latest developments in diplomacy in Vienna and Austria.

September 8, 2022

OPEC+ Decides on Slight Cut in Production

The alliance of oil exporting countries cuts production. Saudi Arabia and Russia are sending a clear signal to the West. With the cutback, the hopes of oil importers in Europe that they would at least be relieved of the burden of crude oil in the face of rapidly rising gas prices are fading.

September 5, 2022

International Organisations in Vienna: What is the United Nations Platform for Space-Based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response?

The United Nations Platform for Space-Based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN-SPIDER) is based in Vienna and aims to communicate the application of space-based technologies for disaster management and emergency response. Learn more about this international organisation in Vienna!

August 17, 2022

Weekly Briefing: Vienna Iran Nuclear Talks Back on Track

The Find out more about this week's developments. Negotiations with Iran to save the nuclear agreement have resumed in Vienna. The Ukrainian ambassador, Vasyl Khymynets, recently criticized the Austrian police. Read about the latest developments in diplomacy in Vienna and Austria.

August 4, 2022

OPEC Welcomes New Secretary General Haitham Al-Ghais

Haitham Al-Ghais of Kuwait has taken over the position of Secretary General of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). He replaces Mohammed Barkindo, who died unexpectedly in July.

August 1, 2022

OPEC Secretary General, Mohammad Barkindo Passed Away Unexpectedly

Last night, OPEC Secretary General Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo passed away unexpectedly at the age of 63. His Excellency Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo of Nigeria had been Secretary General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) for the past six years and was due to hand over to Haitham Al-Ghais of Kuwait in early August.

July 6, 2022

Weekly Briefing: Diplomacy and State Visits in Vienna

Read about the newest developments in Diplomacy in Vienna and Austria. The Dutch Royal Couple visited Austria and International Organizations in Vienna released important publications. The consequences of the Russo-Ukrainian War are making themselves felt in security issues and are changing people's lives in Vienna as well. Further, the newest developments in the Iran Nuclear talks raise hopes. The Find out more about this week's developments.

June 30, 2022

OPEC Releases Annual Flagship Publication in Vienna

This week, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) presented its Annual Statistical Bulletin (ASB) 2022. This report, which presents a large number of statistics and data on oil market developments in recent years, is the organisation's most important publication alongside the World Oil Outlook.

June 28, 2022

OPEC Secretary General Receives Special Award

The Secretary General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo from Nigeria was today presented with the Silver Decoration of Honour with Sash of the Republic of Austria by Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen in recognition of his achievements during his two terms as Secretary General of OPEC.

June 24, 2022

EU Oil Embargo: Little Impact on Austria's Economy Expected

The planned EU embargo on Russian oil in response to the war of aggression in Ukraine will have far-reaching consequences for Europe. This is also the case for Austria. In a report, the Austrian National Bank examines the impact on the Austrian economy and forecasts comparatively mild effects. Nevertheless, the embargo conceals a number of risks that could also have a serious impact on Austria.

June 8, 2022

OPEC Considers Possible Exclusion of Russia From Oil Production Agreement

OPEC countries are apparently considering the exclusion of non-OPEC member Russia from the concluded oil production agreement. According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, which cites statements from insider circles, other OPEC countries could step in to meet production targets following Russia's exclusion.

June 1, 2022

OPEC Holds Special Workshop on Climate Change: "Challenges and Opportunities for Energy-Exporting Developing Countries.”

The Vienna-based Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) recently hosted the fifth Climate Change Technical Workshop under the theme "The first global stocktake under the Paris Agreement: challenges and opportunities for energy-exporting developing countries." OPEC hosted the event ahead of the 21st OPEC Climate Change Coordination Meeting, which will be held on May 31, 2022.

May 30, 2022

Austria Professes to be the Official Seat of Many International Organizations

The Secretary-General for Foreign Affairs, Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal, today welcomed the more than 80 Permanent Representatives to International Organizations in Vienna for an exchange at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Austria's official residence. The meeting resumes a regular dialogue format that helps strengthen Vienna as a center for diplomacy.

April 27, 2022

EU Commissioner For Energy in Vienna

The Russian invasion of Ukraine shook global energy markets. The EU Energy Commissioner is in Vienna on Monday and Tuesday to discuss the EU's energy outreach in the context of Russia's military aggression against Ukraine.

April 11, 2022

OPEC Secretary General Barkindo to Become Distinguished Fellow of the Atlantic Council

Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, the Secretary General of OPEC, was recently awarded a Distinguished Fellow of the Atlantic Council. Find out what he said about his organisations headquarter location and about a speech he gave at the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna.

April 5, 2022

Opec and Non-OPEC Members Agree Further Gradual Increase in Oil Production

At the 25th OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting (ONOMM), the oil-producing countries decided upon a gradual increase in oil production for March. Read about this and the other decisions made at the meeting.

February 2, 2022

OPEC: Kuwaiti Al-Ghais Succeeds Nigerian Barkindo as Secretary General

Mr. Haitham Al-Ghais of Kuwait was recently appointed as the next Secretary General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Read more about Mr. Al-Ghais, as well as the accomplishments of his predecessor Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo.

January 10, 2022

OPEC's World Oil Outlook 2021 Launched in Vienna

OPEC's flagship annual publication, the World Oil Outlook 2021, was launched via videoconference in Vienna. OPEC forecasts 6% increase in global oil demand in 2021. Learn about the specific highlights of this year's World Oil Outlook.

September 29, 2021

Influential OPEC Fund Celebrates 45th Anniversary

The Vienna-based OPEC Fund for International Development marks its 45th anniversary today. Since inception in 1976 by the Member States of OPEC, the multilateral development finance institution has approved more than US$25 billion in essential financing for 135 partner countries.

January 28, 2021

Vienna-based OPEC Launches Newest Edition of World Oil Outlook

The 2020 OPEC World Oil Outlook (WOO) has been launched in Vienna providing, among other topics, the OPEC Secretariat’s in-depth look at the unprecedented scale and impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the global energy and oil markets.

October 8, 2020

OFID - Austria Headquarters Agreement Updated

An amendment to the Headquarters Agreement between the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) and Austria in respect of the privileges and immunities granted therein has revised the 1981 Convention.

June 4, 2020

Headquarters Agreement with OPEC Fund Limits Privileges and Immunities

An amendment to the Headquarters Agreement between Austria and the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) is intended to bring the 1981 Convention up to date and comparable with modern Headquarters Agreements.

February 18, 2020

OPEC Headquarters Vienna: World Oil Market Outlook 2019 Launched

OPEC's Chief Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo released its 2019 World Oil Outlook, in which the OPEC states that the oil market may have upside potential in 2020.

November 17, 2019

Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo to Present the OPEC World Oil Outlook 2019

The OPEC World Oil Outlook provides insights into the upstream and downstream, supply and demand, investments, the potential impact of policies and sustainable development. It will be launched at the Vienna Stock Exchange by OPEC’s Secretary General, HE Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo.

October 22, 2019

The OPEC Fund OFID Has A New Director-General

Saudi Arabian national Dr. Abdulhamid Alkhalifa has taken over the post of Director-General of the OFID (OPEC Fund for International Development) from his predecessor Suleiman J Al-Herbish at the former Palais Deutschmeister at Vienna's Parkring 8. His task is to implement OFID's objective, which is to reinforce financial cooperation between OPEC Member Countries and other developing countries, by providing financial support to the latter for their socioeconomic development.

November 22, 2018

Meet OPEC's Secretary General Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo

HE Mr. Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo is the current Secretary General of OPEC. He recently received a prestigious Energy Award for Lifetime Achievement for helping to stabilize the oil price again. He also gave an insight into how OPEC has regained its former strength under his guidance.

May 28, 2018

OPEC in Vienna Decides to Keep Production Unchanged

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) today hosted its 167th Meeting of the OPEC Conference at the OPEC Secretariat in Vienna. Participants included OPEC Heads of Delegation and the Secretary General. There were some expectations that the production goal of 30 million barrels a day could move higher. However, the key issue the market was looking for will remain at 30 million barrels a day.

June 5, 2015

OPEC Member Countries Discuss Global Petroleum Development Strategies in Vienna

The 6th OPEC International Seminar, with the theme "Petroleum - An Engine for Global Development", aims to build on the previous events from the past decade. It is currently taking place at the Imperial Hofburg Palace in Vienna. The Seminar intends to underpin OPEC’s commitment to stabilize the international oil market by promoting cooperation and dialogue with stakeholders around the world.

June 3, 2015

Vienna as a Business Location - The City at a Glance

Vienna combines tradition, culture and quality of life with the factors of a top business location in a unique way. A stable political and economic environment, a research and technology-friendly climate, geographical and cultural proximity to the growth markets in the east and, not least, the highest quality of life in the world provide for a place at the very top of the world’s rankings.

January 27, 2015

Vienna as a Business Location - Areas of Strength

Vienna combines tradition, culture and quality of life with the factors of a top business location in a unique way. A stable political and economic environment, a research and technology-friendly climate, geographical and cultural proximity to the growth markets in the east and, not least, the highest quality of life in the world provide for a place at the very top of the world’s rankings.

January 22, 2015

The United Nations Celebrate 35 Years in Vienna

The United Nations moved into the VIC Vienna International Centre 35 years ago. The VIC was officially opened on 23 August 1979 when it was handed over to the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency. Commonly known locally as 'UNO City', it has been rented to the organizations for 99 years at a symbolic rate of 1 Austrian schilling (7 euro cents) annually.

August 11, 2014

Production Quota of OPEC Remains Stable

There was consensus in the Vienna-based OPEC. Members show their satisfaction with the current situation.

October 15, 2010