December 01, 2007	Saturday	Ziqa’ad 20, 1428

RIYADH, Nov 30: Ambassador Arne Walther, the first ever secretary general of the Riyadh-based International Energy Forum Secretariat (IEFS), left Riyadh for Norway on Friday after completing his four-year tenure.

Mr Noe van Hulst, a Dutch national and the director of long term Cooperation and Policy Analysis office at the Paris-based International Energy Agency has been selected as the new secretary general of the international body. He is expected to take up his position within the next few days.

The IEFS, an international body, was set up in December 2003 and is headquartered in Riyadh. The basic objective of the organisation is to provide continuity to the global dialogue on energy at the level of ministers. Pakistan is also a member of the international body.

Over the last few years, the secretariat has grown in stature. It has gained a respectful place in the comity of global organisations serving the energy world. IEFS has been unique in the sense it is catering to both – the producers as well as the consumers. It is a not a party, rather a facilitator, in the global energy dialogue.

In a book compiled by the secretariat to highlight the initial years of the organisation, Saudi Oil minister Ali Al-Naimi admits, ‘The IEF secretariat, having begun its work only four years ago, has become a respected international energy body.