Christopher Hudson, President, dmg events

It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of OPEC Secretary-General, H.E. Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo.

This sudden news comes as a terrible shock to us all. That he maintained his active role in the energy world until his very last day is a testament to his dedication and commitment.

He was a true visionary and nothing short of a pillar of the energy community. With a career that spanned four decades, the entire energy industry benefited from his tireless work. Following his appointment to the position of Secretary-General of OPEC in 2016, he remained a strong believer in lasting stability and collaboration for a healthy energy market.

Alongside his incredible contribution to the energy world, Mohammad Barkindo was also an esteemed colleague of dmg events, and we are honoured to have benefited from his support for many years.

His extensive knowledge and a deep faith in the future, made him a perfect addition to numerous ADIPEC events, and all those who heard him speak left with a greater understanding of the industry.

As a long-time supporter of our student-focused initiative Young ADIPEC, he was committed to the nurturing of tools, training and incentives to empower talented young people to face potential challenges and build a thriving career in energy. We were privileged to have counted on his active contributions to our projects worldwide, from the Gulf and Egypt to his home country Nigeria.

On a personal note, I was fortunate to know him for more than 10 years. The honour of working alongside him allowed me to see first-hand how he was exceptionally competent as a diplomat, but also kind and generous as a man.

This loss will be keenly felt by all of us at dmg events and across the international energy community. We want to extend our deepest condolences to his family and his loved ones at this time.