2005 - OPEC

through regular dissemination of electronic reports, including publications such as the Annual
Statistical Bulletin, Quarterly Energy and Oil Statistics and The Annual Report. Activities to expand
data-exchange directly through electronic means and sources increased, for example, through
electronic media such as the Intranet and Internet. The OPEC Intranet serves as the medium
for data communication, as well as for collaboration between and among MCs.
With regard to improvements to the Annual Statistical Bulletin, and in more general terms
improvements in direct data communication between the Secretariat and MCs, official visits
to Indonesia, Kuwait and Venezuela were made, to meet and consult officials involved in the
completion of the Annual Questionnaire. The 5th Working Party on the Flow of Oil Statistics
was held at the Secretariat in November to review Annual Questionnaire tables and propose
modifications.
Besides the flow of regular information and data to MCs, ad hoc requests on different top-
ics were provided, and representatives from MCs were accommodated by the departments
of the RD for training and assistance. The 6th Multi-Disciplinary Training Course was held in
April. The RD’s efforts to strengthen its collaboration and direct communication with research
institutes continued, with ten senior research fellows from MCs participating in the annual
summer fellowship programme, while three interns were also supervised in 2005. The divi-
sion strengthened the Organization’s contacts with many other institutions and put together a
number of lectures and presentations from institutions in the energy field to facilitate discus-
sions and an exchange of views on pertinent issues of common interest. Staff attended and
presented papers and speeches at outside international conferences, seminars, and participated
in various roundtable discussions, expert group and coordination meetings.
Public Relations and Information Department
Very much in line with the preceding year, the Public Relations and Information Depart-
ment (PRID) continued to discharge its responsibilities to the Secretariat in a variety of ways.
This included using the most effective communication and public relations tools available to
initiate and execute programmes aimed at informing and educating the general public about
the aims, objectives, actions and decisions taken by the Organization, with a focus on its aim
of providing stability to the global oil market.
The year under review marked the start of the implementation of the PRID Medium Term Plan
(MTP), approved by the 114th Meeting of the OPEC BoG. In order to ensure the effective