Qatar to Host World Petroleum Congress Next Sunday

Doha , November 29 (QNA) - The State of Qatar will Sunday host the 20th World Petroleum Congress, the world's most prominent conference in the field of Petroleum. More than 5000 personalities will participate in the conference, out of which are 900 Qatari figures and 35 Ministers from leading oil industry countries. During the conference, due to convene at Qatar National Convention Center, the participants are to discuss a wide range of topics including "Financing Gas Infrastructure" and "Advances in Extra Heavy Oil Development Technologies". The conference will also hold Ministerial sessions. In an exclusive interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), Chairman of Qatar Organizing Committee Issa Shahin Al Ghanim, who is also Director of Strategic Planning & Policy in Qatar Petroleum said that the State of Qatar have put a lot of efforts to earn the rights for hosting the conference, which paid dividends when 58% of the voters chose Qatar as the host of the congress back in 2007. He said that Qatar's bid had a number of appeals to voters, the most prominent was that energy-rich region GCC had never held the congress on its land before. He stressed that the congress, unlike popular belief, covered all its expenses from sponsorship deal. He added that the deals left a surplus that will be invested in environmental projects. The conference will hold 18 ministerial session conducted by 35 ministers from prominent countries in the energy field. On the biggest challenge that faced his committee, Al Ghanim said that coordinating between all involved for such a big event proved to be the biggest task. Another problem that faced the committee was whether the Convention Center was going to be ready in time, Al Ghanim said. He stressed however that early preparations for the Congress made organizing it much easier. The World Petroleum Congress was first held in London in 1933 with 24 nations participating in it. Chairman of Qatar Organizing Committee Issa Shahin Al Ghanim, who is also Director of Strategic Planning & Policy in Qatar Petroleum told QNA that 100 working papers, out of 2000 were provided to the committee to be reviewed during the Congress, adding that there will be more than 14 round table discussions during the Congress. Al Ghanim stressed that the World Petroleum Congress is a league above others in terms of energy-related events as it is the most diversified and prominent, in terms of participants, in the world. On the organizational structure of the organizing committee, Al Ghanim said that it consisted of 40 people who worked as distributors in six different departments. They were assisted by around 800 volunteers. He added that there was also a scientific international committee that overlooked the process, adding that it was that committee which approved the congress' logo. The congress will be held from December 4-8. (QNA)