COMMUNICATION FROM the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)

        The following communication has been received on 17 February 2025 from the Secretary General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) concerning observer status in the CTE.

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        OPEC is a permanent intergovernmental organization as established in Article 1 of its Statute. The Organization was created at the Baghdad Conference on 10-14 September 1960 by five Founding Countries, and it is now comprized of 12 Member Countries.[1]

        OPEC wishes to apply for observer status at the WTO Committee on Trade and Environment (CTE) pursuant to Annex III "Observer Status for International Intergovernmental Organizations in the WTO" of the Rules of Procedures for Sessions of the Ministerial Conference and Meetings of the General Council (WTO WT/L/161, 25 July 1996) for the following reasons:

        Article 2 of the OPEC Statute establishes the objectives of the Organization, which are the coordination and unification of petroleum policies in Member Countries, and the stabilization of the international oil markets, with due regard to the interests of producers, consumers, and investors. OPEC Member Countries boldly stated in their third and latest Solemn Declaration in 2007 that their policies today are guided by principles that are cognizant of the need to support international efforts to address global environmental challenges, including climate change, by introducing cleaner fuels and associated technologies.[2]

        In fulfilling its mandate, the Organization has been closely monitoring and participating in the discussions by the international community on energy and environmental matters, including those at the CTE. Such discussions, framed under agreements such as the United Nations Framework Climate Change Convention(UNFCCC), the Paris Agreement, and its subsequent instruments are uniquely relevant for the future of the global energy mix, since their objective is to lower greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions while achieving acceptable levels of development, including global energy access and security, in alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goal-7.

        For decades, the Organization has readily provided expert studies on the future of the oil and energy markets and its producers' adaptation to climate change policies.[3] OPEC was involved in the negotiations that led to conclusion of many multilateral environmental agreements since their inception. The Secretariat has been attending UNFCCC and Paris Agreement Conference of Parties (COP) and (CMA) climate change meetings dating back to 1998, in addition to participating in other relevant forums.[4]

        The Organization further participated in relevant initiatives to the WTO including a joint report on the Analysis of the Scope of Energy Subsidies and Suggestions for the G-20 Initiative.[5]

        Member Countries of the Organization, all of which are developing country Member States of the WTO or current observers,[6] place due regard to global trade rules that preserve market access of goods and services through minimizing tariff and non-tariff trade barriers balanced with environmental considerations. The Organization is at the heart of discussions that ensure neither goal is compromised, and that developing countries' economic growth is taken into consideration. This comprehensive set of goals forms a key element incorporated in the Organization's Long-Term Strategy.

        The Organization and its Member Countries follow today's discussions closely on how trade may support environmental policies and the adaptation of energy systems and flow of cleaner products and technologies through more efficient processes. These countries seek to ensure access to reliable supply chains that do not compromise environmental goals. Member Countries are further embarking on economic and energy diversification strategies, which include other sectors like mining and the supply of essential minerals and raw materials. These plans secure their future development objectives.

        The OPEC Secretariat wishes to coordinate its Member's efforts to address trade and energy related issues in the context of environmental policies, as mandated by the Organization's Statute.

        The participation of the OPEC Secretariat in the meetings of the CTE is in the spirit of enhancing inter-organization collaboration on the international level for a more comprehensive assessment of the topics in the CTE's work programme.

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