OPEC regular conference in Osaka, Japan

Secretary-General of the Organisation of Petroleum-Exporting Countries (OPEC) Alvaro Silva Calderon officially confirmed that the 121st regular conference between OPEC energy and oil ministers will be held in Osaka, Japan.

Traditionally, such summits of the world's oil cartel are held at its headquarters in Vienna. However, this time the 121st OPEC conference will 'join' the 8th International Energy Forum, which will be held after the conference in Osaka on September 21-23, 2002, Silva stressed.

Russian Energy Minister Igor Yusufov and ministers of Kazakhstan, Mexico, Oman, Norway and other 'independent' petroleum-exporting countries have been invited to the 121st conference in Osaka as observers, the OPEC leader said. Energy ministers of oil-consuming countries, including the US Secretary of Energy, will also participate in the 8th International Energy Forum.