The year 2021 marks the 61st anniversary of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC. The Organization was founded 14 September 1960. Between 10 and 14 of September 1960, representatives from five oil producing countries-Fuad Rouhani of Iran; Dr. Tala’at al-Shaibani of Iraq; Ahmed Sayed Omar of Kuwait; Abdullah Al-Tariki of Saudi Arabia; and Dr. Juan Pablo Perez Alfonzo of Venezuela, arrived at the Bab Al-Muaatham district in Baghdad, birthing OPEC. A statement from the OPEC Secretariat said the Organization “takes pride in honoring and celebrating its rich and unique history and heritage, particularly on the Anniversary of its founding”. “The year 2021 marks the 61st Anniversary of that auspicious day and represents an opportunity to reflect on the Organization’s past and look to the future. “Looking back, it may appear that the Organization’s formation was inevitable. However, each of the Organization’s Founder Members arrived in Baghdad with different objectives, expectations and priorities. Yet, they recognized that common interests outweighed any differences they may have had; that working together will always yield greater results than going it alone and unity is a source of strength.
