Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning. Bom dia.

It is a great pleasure to be here in Brazil, a country that holds special memories for me as a place that I once called home. It is also an honour to speak at the opening ceremony of ROG.e

This event, one of the world’s leading energy exhibitions and conferences, is testament to the importance Brazil places on its energy sector. This can be viewed at all levels.

In October 2023, I had the honour of meeting with the President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The President has a clear appreciation of the energy challenges and opportunities before us, both in Brazil, and more broadly, at the global level.

In this, he is ably supported by His Excellency Alexandre Silveira, Brazil’s Minister of Energy and Mines. I have spoken with Minister Silveira on many occasions, and at OPEC, we look forward to working with him and his team in the years ahead.

I would also like to express my appreciation to the Brazilian Petroleum and Gas Institute, the promoters of this event. The work they do is vital for the success and advancement of the Brazilian energy industry, and having seen their research and development at close quarters, I have no doubt that the Institute’s efforts will be important for the global energy sector.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

OPEC continues to advocate for an all energies and all technologies approach to deliver just and equitable energy pathways for all peoples around the world.

This means understanding the interlinkages between the three energy imperatives: energy security, energy affordability, and emission reductions.

In reality, this necessitates adequate investments – today, tomorrow, and many decades into the future – in a manner reflecting realistic assumptions about what each energy source can offer, while improving their environmental credentials. 

For Brazil, it is demonstrating that it is possible to be a leader in renewables, produce the oil the world needs now and long into the future, and enable technological developments and breakthroughs. Brazil generated 89% of its electricity from renewable sources in 2023, leading the way in the G20. It is South America’s largest oil-producer, and the Brazilian Petroleum and Gas Institute is to the fore in new technologies.

Like Brazil, let me say that OPEC Member Countries are investing in renewables, and in oil, to ensure that consumer needs are met.

At the same time, they are also working hard to improve efficiencies, implement low-emissions solutions and mobilize cleaner technologies like carbon capture utilization and storage, clean hydrogen technologies, direct air capture, and carbon dioxide removal, all within the concept of the circular carbon economy.

Providing a better understanding of these issues is a core focus of the Charter of Cooperation (CoC) between OPEC and non-OPEC countries, a voluntary framework for dialogue and a platform for multilateralism.

We welcome Brazil’s attention to the CoC, and let me state, at OPEC, we truly value our ever-evolving collaboration, at all levels.

This includes the launching of OPEC’s World Oil Outlook 2024 at the ROG.e tomorrow.  The Outlook is central to OPEC’s embrace of transparency through dialogue and cooperation, and in helping provide a better understanding of all the intertwined issues that filter into our energy futures. I hope that many of you here can join us.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

Before concluding, I would also like to take this opportunity to offer OPEC’s support for Brazil’s G20 presidency in 2024, as well as its hosting of COP30 in 2025.

Brazil is leading the way in helping find realistic solutions to the energy challenges of our time. Its inclusive and diplomatic approach should be lauded, and it is an approach that OPEC will continue to advocate for.

We need all voices at the table, not just a few. And we need to take on board the different national circumstances, pathways, and approaches for countries and populations in evolving future energy pathways.

Thank you.