New Saudi energy minister urges producers to share burden

At least 22 arrested after demonstrators clashed with police near Tatrinote village in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

Politics 15:35 09.09.2019

Saudi Arabia’s new energy minister said on Monday that oil producers “have to share responsibility” to balance the market in comments that marked his debut since being named the kingdom’s new oil minister the previous day.

Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman spoke in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, at an energy conference. He spoke about the role OPEC member-states and other major oil producers like Russia have ahead of a joint meeting this week to discuss global production cuts of 1.2 million barrels per day.

Saudi Arabia has led cuts in production as the kingpin of OPEC to keep oil prices from sliding further.

Prince Abdulaziz’s remarks suggest he will continue a similar policy to that of his predecessor, Khalid al-Falih, who led the deal to cut global production among major producers. Al-Falih had been in the role since 2016.

“I respect consensus,” the prince said, adding that “it’s all about the incremental contributions.”

The prince is King Salman’s fourth son and an older half brother to the 34-year-old Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

International benchmark Brent crude was trading Monday above $62 a barrel, up almost around 1%.

That’s considerably below the $80-$85 a barrel analysts say is needed to balance Saudi Arabia’s budget. Driving current oil prices up, or at least working to keep them from plummeting, is a key task for Saudi Arabia’s energy minister.

Prince Abdulaziz declined to describe concerns over global trade tensions that are weighing on oil prices as a “trade war,” saying: “I’m fundamentally an optimist.”

His appointment marks the first time that a Saudi prince from the ruling Al Saud family heads the important energy ministry though Prince Abdulaziz enters the job with a lifetime of experience in Saudi Arabia’s energy sector and is seen as a safe and steady choice to lead the ministry, where he will oversee production of one of the world’s largest oil exporters. He has held senior roles in the energy ministry for more than three decades and most recently was minister of state for energy affairs.

Despite now getting the top role overseeing Saudi Arabia’s energy portfolio, Prince Abdulaziz is not known to be close to Prince Mohammed, the king’s most powerful son and heir to the throne.

His predecessor, al-Falih was removed just days ago from his post as board chairman of Aramco, a company that he once ran as chief executive. His Cabinet portfolio was also curtailed last month when mining and industry were spun off from his purview into a new ministry, in an attempt to focus on more effectively attracting foreign direct investment into these sectors.

Al-Falih’s diminishing role had led to reports that he was out of favor with Prince Mohammed, who is pushing to diversify the Saudi economy away from its dependence on oil revenue.

The crown prince has struggled to attract foreign investors, which analysts say is key to diversifying the economy and creating millions of jobs for young Saudis entering the workforce.

Azerbaijan's representation at the UN Committee Against Torture is ongoing - LIVE

News line

Doha hosts first face-to-face Russia-Ukraine talks on return of children
19:30 24.04.2024
International experts from 30 countries view restoration work in Lachin
19:15 24.04.2024
Ombudsman informs UK ambassador about landmine terrorism by Armenia against Azerbaijan
19:00 24.04.2024
Israel's Defense Minister: ‘Half of Hezbollah's commanders have been killed’
Israel's Defense Minister: ‘Half of Hezbollah's commanders have been killed’
18:45 24.04.2024
Azerbaijan's insurance market rises
18:30 24.04.2024
Belarus deploys tactical nuclear weapons on its territory
Belarus deploys tactical nuclear weapons on its territory
18:15 24.04.2024
US President Biden once again used "Armenian genocide" term
18:00 24.04.2024
Estonia welcomes remarkable developments in Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation process
17:45 24.04.2024
Azerbaijan's Pardon Issues Commission holds next meeting, number of appeals exceed 300
Azerbaijan's Pardon Issues Commission holds next meeting, number of appeals exceed 300
17:30 24.04.2024
Azerbaijan's representation at the UN Committee Against Torture is ongoing - LIVE
17:29 24.04.2024
Azerbaijan, the U.S. mull issues of cyber security in financial field
17:15 24.04.2024
Kazakhstan expects second wave of floods
17:00 24.04.2024
France proposes new EU sanctions against Russia
16:45 24.04.2024
President of Kyrgyzstan highlights construction of secondary school in Aghdam district
16:30 24.04.2024
Erdogan meets with German President
16:15 24.04.2024
Azerbaijani ambassador meets with Gambia foreign minister
Azerbaijani ambassador meets with Gambia foreign minister
16:00 24.04.2024
Pelosi says Israel's Netanyahu 'should resign' as prime minister
15:45 24.04.2024
Türkiye urges world community to support Ankara-Yerevan normalization process
15:30 24.04.2024
Sadyr Zhaparov: Azerbaijan is building its bright future with confidence
15:15 24.04.2024
Media: About 30 Israeli generals and Shin Bet officers held hostage by Hamas
Media: About 30 Israeli generals and Shin Bet officers held hostage by Hamas
15:00 24.04.2024
Monkeypox epidemic declared in Congo
14:50 24.04.2024
Ilham Aliyev: Visit of President of Kyrgyzstan to Azerbaijan will contribute to strengthening friendly, fraternal relations between two countries
14:40 24.04.2024
President Ilham Aliyev: ‘Azerbaijan is determined to continue active interaction with Kyrgyzstan in all areas’
14:38 24.04.2024
President of Azerbaijan invites his Kyrgyz counterpart to COP29
President of Azerbaijan invites his Kyrgyz counterpart to COP29
14:30 24.04.2024
Azerbaijan’s central bank, US Department of Treasury discuss financial stability
Azerbaijan’s central bank, US Department of Treasury discuss financial stability
14:30 24.04.2024
President of Azerbaijan invites his Kyrgyz counterpart to COP29
14:17 24.04.2024
Presidents of Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan hold meeting in limited format
14:08 24.04.2024
Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan sign documents
Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan sign documents
13:30 24.04.2024
Russian deputy defense minister arrested for two months
Russian deputy defense minister arrested for two months
12:45 24.04.2024
China urges US to stop arming Taiwan
China urges US to stop arming Taiwan
12:30 24.04.2024
The Gulf Observer Highlights Return of Four Gazakh Villages
12:25 24.04.2024
Zelensky thanks the US Senate for aid package
Zelensky thanks the US Senate for aid package
12:15 24.04.2024
Magnitude 5.4 quake hits coast of Tonga
Magnitude 5.4 quake hits coast of Tonga
11:55 24.04.2024
Russian attack injures six people in Ukraine's Kharkiv, governor says
11:44 24.04.2024
Kyrgyz President leaves for Azerbaijan - UPDATED
Kyrgyz President leaves for Azerbaijan - UPDATED
11:34 24.04.2024
CSTO Secretary-General: ‘Armenia should assess security threats’
11:10 24.04.2024
Ammunition found in Azerbaijan’s Khankandi
Ammunition found in Azerbaijan’s Khankandi
10:54 24.04.2024
Umud Mirzayev Condemns Flag Burning Incident in Yerevan, Highlights Role of Armenian Separatists
10:33 24.04.2024
President Ilham Aliyev: Armenia blocks possibility of building land connection with Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic
President Ilham Aliyev: Armenia blocks possibility of building land connection with Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic
10:14 24.04.2024
"Significance of Russian 'Peacekeeper' Withdrawal in South Caucasus - Insights from Political Expert Neil Watson
10:00 24.04.2024
Hamısı