KUWAIT CITY, Oct 5: The Arab Energy Organization (AEO) reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing safety across the oil and gas industry, with Secretary General Jamal Al‑Loughani emphasizing that operational safety is a “fundamental pillar” for the sector’s stability and credibility.

Speaking at the inauguration of a training course titled “Operational Safety Management in the Oil and Gas Industry”, held in cooperation with Egypt’s Engineering Company for Petroleum and Chemical Industries (ENPPI), Al‑Loughani said safety protocols act as a vital line of defense against catastrophic accidents with severe economic, environmental, and human costs.

Nearly 400 trainees from AEO member states joined the course either in person or via video link, he noted, thanking both Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources and ENPPI for helping organize what is now the third such training since the 2023 Memorandum of Understanding between the two bodies.

Al‑Loughani stressed that introducing these training programs into the organization’s annual agenda reflects AEO’s growing focus on empowering skilled human resources. He observed that member states have shown significant backing for these efforts, helping to extend knowledge and experience to thousands of participants.

As part of AEO’s broader institutional restructuring, Al‑Loughani revealed the adoption of a new strategic approach centered on training and capacity building. He said the shift aims not only to raise workforce performance but also to support member states in meeting future challenges within the petroleum sector.

He described process safety management as a systematic method for identifying, preventing, and mitigating risks associated with handling chemicals and hazardous materials. He expressed hope that the course would help inculcate a culture of “safe sustainability,” integrating safety with environmental, operational, and economic goals.

Al‑Loughani underlined that safety must be placed at the core of every new project or ongoing development, advocating for major risk management as a standard practice.