BAKU, Azerbaijan – The inaugural Charter of Cooperation (CoC) Technical Committee Meeting took place today in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The meeting was hosted by HE Parviz Shahbazov, Minister of Energy of Azerbaijan, and was chaired by HE Haitham Al Ghais, Secretary General of OPEC.
Bringing together delegates from over 20 oil producing countries, this inaugural meeting of the Technical Committee established a comprehensive working plan for the CoC covering activities and programs related to market fundamentals, energy dialogues, technology, innovation, investment, policies and regulations, as well as industrial standards. The workplan outlines future activities, initiatives and meetings.
The meeting built on the 40th OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting, held in November 2025, which approved the framework of the CoC and mandated that the OPEC Secretariat develop a plan and convert it into programmes to achieve the full objectives of the CoC.
Speaking at the meeting in Baku, Secretary General Al Ghais noted that “Participating Countries’ commitment to further unlocking the full potential of the CoC has once again been clearly evident today.” HE Al Ghais also emphasized the importance of fully realizing and further operationalizing the objectives of the CoC, including by facilitating dialogue with major oil consumers, promoting oil market stability, and strengthening cooperation in technology, innovation, and investment. Doing so would greatly benefit oil producers, consumers, investors and the global economy alike, he said. HE Al Ghais concluded the meeting by thanking all delegates for their valuable contributions and continued commitment. He also expressed the Secretariat’s sincere gratitude to Azerbaijan for hosting today’s inaugural meeting.
HE Parviz Shahbazov, Minister of Energy of Azerbaijan stated that “Holding the inaugural meeting of the Technical Committee of the Charter of Cooperation in Baku the cradle of the modern oil industry is a clear recognition of Azerbaijan’s role in global energy cooperation, as well as of the trust and reputation it has earned as a reliable and responsible partner within the OPEC+ framework. We are confident that this meeting will make a meaningful contribution to further strengthening dialogue and mutual trust within OPEC+, preserving stability and predictability in the global oil market, and advancing long-term cooperation among participating countries.
At a time when global oil demand remains strong, while declining investment in oil exploration and production is creating new risks to future market stability, dialogue platforms such as this are more important than ever. Oil remains one of the fundamental pillars of the global economy and energy security, and it will continue to play this strategic role for decades to come.”
The CoC was signed by OPEC Member Countries and non-OPEC Participating Countries in the Declaration of Cooperation (DoC) on 2 July 2019 at the 6th OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting. It ushered in a new era of cooperation while complementing the momentum generated by the success of the DoC.
** The next meeting of the Technical Committee will take place at the end of September 2026. **