Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iraq attended the 17th International Energy Forum Ministerial Meeting (IEF17) in Riyadh on Sunday, despite fatal strikes on the Saudi capital’s airport, where top energy officials discussed global energy security, oil market stability, and investment.
Iraq’s Oil Minister, Basim Mohammed Khudair, attended the event, which brought together ministers, business executives, and officials from international organizations under the topic “Energy Security and Shared Goals in a New Era.”
The conference went forward despite bombings on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, which Saudi officials blamed on Yemen’s Houthi militia.
The violence heightened security fears in the monarchy, which was hosting key foreign energy executives.
Opening the conference, Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman presented a message of resilience, stating that the country would continue to meet its energy promises despite the problems it confronts.
“No one can break our resolve, for we are like the phoenix, always rising from the ashes,” Prince Abdulaziz declared, according to an English translation of his Arabic comments.
“We value our commitments and strive to honor them no matter the circumstances,” he continued, referring to Saudi Arabia and its capital as the “capital of energy security.”
The Minister also cited Saudi Arabia’s East-West Pipeline, which distributes crude oil to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, as an example of infrastructure built to ensure energy supplies when regular shipping routes are disrupted.
The problem is especially important to Iraq, one of OPEC’s biggest oil producers, which depends significantly on exports via the Arabian Gulf and has been looking into alternate pipeline routes via Turkey and even Syria.
Iraq’s involvement comes as the country strives to enhance ties with Saudi Arabia and other regional partners in energy investment, infrastructure, and economic growth.
Saudi Arabia, Italy, and Nigeria convened the ministerial conference, which focused on ensuring stable energy supplies, robust infrastructure, diversifying supply chains, and strengthening communication between producing and consuming nations.
Participants expressed solidarity and support with Saudi Arabia after assaults on civilian infrastructure, and the conference welcomed news that the United States will rejoin the International Energy Forum.
The gathering also discussed investments in oil and gas production, refining, transportation networks, and future energy technologies, as well as initiatives to promote market transparency and international collaboration.
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