THE DECISION-MAKING BODIES OF THE AFRICAN PETROLEUM PRODUCERS’ ORGANIZATION

THE DECISION-MAKING BODIES OF THE AFRICAN PETROLEUM PRODUCERS’ ORGANIZATION

FRANCAIS

Established in 1987 in Lagos, Federal Republic of Nigeria, the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization is composed of 18 full members: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Congo, DR Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Libya, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa and Chad. In addition to the full Member Countries, APPO has an Honorary Member, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. The mission of the organization is to promote cooperation in the field of hydrocarbons of its Member Countries and other global institutions to foster fruitful collaboration and partnerships while utilizing petroleum as catalysts for energy security, sustainable development and economic diversification in Africa. Its aspiration is to be a major institution and reference on Africa’s hydrocarbon matters. 

Strategic objectives

Headquartered in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, APPO intends to achieve several strategic objectives through its actions. These include promoting cooperation and capacity building among Member Countries and other global institutions in various sectors of the hydrocarbon industry, including commercial, scientific, technical, technological, legal, fiscal as well as in the field of human resources, promoting the development of regional markets and coordinated energy integration strategies in the continent, and developing research programmes about the major challenges in the petroleum sector of African countries. It is also a question of promoting economic development and market diversification activities by enhancing hydrocarbon sector local procurement, employment and gender diversification, promoting environmental protection and management policies, promoting the use of international best practices and increasing the visibility and level of awareness on APPO as a leader and reference institution on petroleum within and beyond Africa.

The Council of Ministers of the APPO

The African Petroleum Producers Organization comprises decision-making bodies, a permanent organ and a specialized commission. Among the decision-making bodies, a distinction is made between the Council of Ministers and the Executive Board. The very first organ, the Council of Ministers is the supreme political and decision-making body of the organization. It shall be made up of the Ministers in charge of the hydrocarbon sector of the Member Countries or Plenipotentiaries of the said countries. It meets once a year in Ordinary Session which is held on a rotating basis in Member Countries and according to alphabetical order unless otherwise decided by the Council. It should be noted that an extraordinary meeting of the Council may be convened at any moment, upon request from one of the Member Countries, provided that it is approved by a simple majority of the Member Countries and is held in the requesting country. The Council of Ministers is chaired by the Minister of the country hosting the Ordinary Session of the Council which ends the current fiscal year. The Vice Presidency goes to the country that will host the next Ordinary Session of the Council. The current President of the Council of Ministers is His Excellency Adolphe Moudiki, Plenipotentiary of Cameroon to the APPO, and the Vice-President is His Excellency Bruno Jean Richard Itoua, Minister of Hydrocarbons of the Republic of Congo.

The Executive Council

Another important decision-making body of the APPO, the Executive Board is composed of one representative per APPO Member Country. It meets twice a year. The first meeting of the Executive Board of the fiscal year is held in any Member Country willing to host the meeting or at the APPO Secretariat. The second meeting, on the other hand, is held before the Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers, in the country of the APPO Presidency. It must be said that a quorum of 2/3 of Member Countries is required for any meeting of the Executive Board and that the Chairman of the Executive Board is appointed in alphabetical order among Member Countries. The Presidency of the Executive Board is currently held by Mr. Stev Simplice Onanga, Member of the Executive Board on behalf of the Republic of Congo. It should also be noted that only the Members of the Executive Board can participate in deliberations. However, a proxy nominated in writing may be admitted to participate in Board meetings, provided that such proxy cannot assume the chairmanship of the Meeting. The reports of the Executive Board are submitted to the Council of Ministers by its Chairman and kept in the archives of the APPO Secretariat.