Uzbekistan joins OPEC as an observer 

Uzbekistan joined the OPEC as an observer, Kun.uz correspondent reports referring to the chairman of the OPEC conference, the UAE Minister of Energy Suhail al-Mazrui.

“I would like to express my gratitude to the new non-OPEC producers who joined us today as observers. These are Chad, South Africa, Uzbekistan and the Association of African Petroleum Producers,” he said.

Suhail al-Mazrui also expressed his hope that Uzbekistan and others will join the declaration of cooperation.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) was established in 1960. Currently, the it controls approximately 80% of all explored oil reserves and provides over 40% of the world oil production.

The OPEC includes 15 countries (Algeria, Angola, Venezuela, Gabon, Iraq, Iran, Qatar, Republic of Congo, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Ecuador and Equatorial Guinea).