Libya will assume the presidency of the Council of Ministers of the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC), alongside chairing the Executive Bureau, starting from January 1, 2026, marking a renewed leadership role within the regional energy bloc.
The development was confirmed during the 115th meeting of the OAPEC Council of Ministers held on Sunday in Kuwait, attended by oil and energy ministers from member states. Libya was represented by the Minister of Oil and Gas in the Government of National Unity, Khalifa Abdulsadiq.
According to the government’s official platform, Hakomitna, the Council congratulated Libya on its forthcoming presidency, describing the decision as a reflection of confidence in the country’s role within the organisation.
The Council also approved the appointment of Khaled Al-Otaibi as OAPEC Secretary-General for a three-year term beginning in March 2026, succeeding Jamal bin Issa Al-Loughani. Ministers praised Al-Loughani’s tenure and expressed confidence in Al-Otaibi’s capacity to guide the organisation through a transitional phase and strengthen coordination among member states and technical bodies.
In addition, the meeting reaffirmed ongoing efforts to restructure and modernise OAPEC, including plans to launch a new identity under the name “Arab Energy Organization”, aligning the body more closely with global shifts in the energy sector. The Council further announced the winners of the 2024 OAPEC Award for Scientific Research in the field of new and renewable energy.
