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of recovery have started to appear since the first half of 2000 [?], and they are expected to continue in varying degrees among international groups.Although Arab oil and gas producing countries have not been immune to the adverse effects of the global economic crisis on the whole, points ofstrength enjoyed by these countries have made them more ale to cope with the crisis. The most important of these are the following:Proven oil and gas reserves.Adequate infrastructure and service facilities, which helps to lower capital expenditure on new projects intended to increase production capacity.Growth of local demand for oil derivatives, fuelled by economic and social development plans requiring more power generation and desalinationprojects.Geographic location close to promising consumer markets.Ladies and GentlemenArab oil exporting countries are fully aware of their important strategic role as suppliers of secure and continuous energy sources in the shape of crudeoil, oil derivatives and natural gas. This makes it necessary for these countries to invest in oil and gas projects aimed at increasing production capabilityand keeping pace with the expected rise in global demand for these commodities. To ensure continuous investment, stable oil markets certainly needto be maintained through mutual cooperation, constructive dialogue between consumers and producers that would safeguard the interests of all partiesconcerned.Ladies and GentlemenOAPEC member states, out of their sense of responsibility for maintaining a clean environment, have taken several measures to limit pollution thatmay be caused by the oil industry. Improvements have been made in all areas starting from prospecting activities such as seismological surveys andmoving on to drilling operations, in addition to measures aimed at curbing the burning of gas, discontinuing the addition of lead to gasoline, reducingthe level of sulphur in diesel and implementing international standards related to the environment. These are only some of the achievements of the oilindustry in the member states of OAPEC as far as the environment is concerned.In this connection, I must refer to some standpoints regarding the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol on ClimateChange. We think that since the industrial countries mentioned in Appendix A and Appendix B of the Protocol have not fulfilled all their obligations todate and we believe that the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol remain the proper legal frame of reference for the current negotiations on the situationafter 2012 when the Kyoto Protocol ceases to be in effect.The oil producing and exporting countries, especially those whose economies depend entirely or mainly on oil and gas as the sole source of incomefor development purposes, are worried that measures on climate change may have adverse effects on the demand for oil and gas in the long run. Thesemeasures may also lead to higher costs of production in the oil industry due to some additional taxes that may be levied on oil imports by consumingcountries while at the same time offering aid and subsidies to more polluting energy sources, resulting in selective policies that are biased against oil.I would also like to mention the current efforts by OAPEC member countries to mitigate the negative effects of their oil industries and implement allpossible methods to reduce the emissions resulting from production operations, mainly the capture and storage of carbon dioxide, investing heavily intechnologies for clean fuel production and carrying out projects to develop renewable energy exploitation, especially solar energy and wind power.Finally, I would like to thank you for listening and to wish this Forum success in achieving its declared objectives.Volume 37 Issue 120