13 February 2013

IIASA discusses collaboration with OPEC

On 13 February, IIASA Director and CEO Professor Dr. Pavel Kabat and his special advisor Mr Chin-Min Lee met with Abdalla S. El-Badri, Secretary General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), at OPEC’s headquarters in Vienna.

Kabet&OPEC (c) IIASA

Kabet&OPEC (c) IIASA

OPEC is an intergovernmental organization that coordinates and unifies petroleum policies of its member countries, in order to secure fair and stable prices for petroleum producers; an efficient, economic and regular supply of petroleum to consuming nations; and a fair return on capital to those investing in the industry.

During their meeting Kabat provided an overview of IIASA’s research activities, highlighting IIASA’s focus on cross-cutting research that stretches across disciplines to address interconnected global problems such as  energy,  water, food and climate.  Kabat and El-Badri discussed the recently released Global Energy Assessment (GEA) coordinated by IIASA,  which defines a new global energy transitions and agenda. GEA is the first ever fully integrated energy assessment that analyzes energy challenges opportunities and strategies, for developing, industrialized and emerging economies. It is supported by government and non-governmental organizations, the United Nations Systems, and the private sector and has served as the scientific basis for the UN’s Sustainable Energy for All Initiative. 

Collaboration between IIASA and the Member countries of OPEC was discussed and both El-Badri and Kabat agreed to collaborate closely in areas of common interest, specifically energy, water and training of young scientists from OPEC member countries. IIASA runs an annual Young Scientists Summer Program (YSSP) which offers research opportunities to talented young researchers whose interests correspond with IIASA’s ongoing research on issues of global environmental, economic and social change.  An assessment and cross-comparison of existing energy outlook studies until 2035, and the current and future role of shale gas in energy systems may become a subject of a study between IIASA and OPEC.

In addition, Kabat has been invited to give a key note presentation at the OPEC R&D Forum on 7-8 May, which aims to enhance collaboration and technology transfer among OPEC Member Countries and explore potential opportunities with world oil and gas research and development and technology leaders. 

OPEC (C) IIASA

Professor Dr. Pavel Kabat, IIASA Director and CEO meets Abdalla S. El-Badri, Secretary General, OPEC.





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Last edited: 13 February 2013

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