ANTALYA, Türkiye,
November 11. With COP31 underway in Türkiye,
all-energies, all-technologies and all-peoples approach is of
strategic importance to future energy pathways, OPEC Secretary
General, Haitham Al Ghais said in an exclusive interview with
Trend on the
sidelines of the conference.


“The future is not about focusing on one particular energy and
conveniently forgetting the role of others. Though, the world is
set to require more electricity in the decades to come, the
so-called ‘Age of Electricity’ depends on adding hardware
everywhere, and with logistics and supply chains overwhelmingly
dominated by petroleum powered transportation modes,” he added.


The secretary general pointed out that as OPEC has advocated
repeatedly, petroleum and petroleum-derived products are essential
for manufacturing, maintaining and installing electricity
grids.


“These include cables, overhead lines, pylons, transformers,
substations, and control systems. As high-voltage subsea cables
proliferate, this will see a surge in demand for specialized
plastics and polymers”, HE Al Ghais noted.


“Energy sources are not locked in a zero-sum game where growth
in one results in decline for another as some would like us to
think. All energies will be required to meet global energy demand
growth and address energy poverty that continues to impact billions
around the world and provide energy security”, he added.







HE Al Ghais concluded by reiterating OPEC’s support to the COP31
Presidency, and OPEC's hope that this important message of an ‘Age
of All Energies’ resonates as climate matters are addressed at
COP31.


Hosted by Türkiye in Antalya from November 9 to 20, COP31 is
being held under a partnership arrangement between Türkiye and
Australia. Türkiye hosts the conference, with Environment,
Urbanization and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum serving as
COP31 President, while Australia's Climate Change and Energy
Minister Chris Bowen leads the negotiations.


The conference is expected to focus on accelerating
implementation of the Paris Agreement, mobilizing climate finance,
strengthening adaptation to climate change and advancing the
transition to cleaner energy. Particular attention is being paid to
translating national climate commitments into concrete projects and
investments, as well as addressing the needs of developing
countries.


COP31 also includes the 21st meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto
Protocol (CMP21) and the eighth meeting of the Parties to the Paris
Agreement (CMA8).