NOC Chairman Meets Senior U.S. Officials and Discusses Ways to Support the NOC’s Independence
The Chairman of the National Oil Corporation (NOC), Mr. Farhat Bengdara, held a series of important meetings in Washington, D.C., with several senior U.S. officials. The meetings included a discussion at the White House with the U.S. President’s Special Advisor, Mr. Amos Hochstein, at the Department of State with the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Mr. Joshua Harris, at the U.S. Agency for International Development with the Acting Deputy Assistant Director of the USAID Middle East Bureau, Ms. Sybil Siegel, at the Department of the Treasury with the U.S. Treasury’s Director for International Affairs, Mr. Anthony Marcus, and at the Department of Energy with U.S. Department of Energy Assistants, Mr. Jeffrey Payat, Mr. Brad Crabtree, and Mr. Josh Volz. The meetings concluded with a discussion at the Department of Commerce with the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce, Mr. Thomas Bruns.
During these meetings, U.S. officials reaffirmed their full support for the NOC in its efforts to maintain its independence and neutrality, particularly in light of the challenges and pressures it faces. They emphasized the importance of protecting the NOC from interference that could hinder its performance, highlighting its crucial role in securing Libya’s national income and ensuring the stability of global energy supplies, especially concerning issues related to production cuts and the crisis at the Central Bank of Libya.
The officials also expressed their readiness to provide all forms of technical and logistical support to enhance cooperation with the NOC in areas such as governance and transparency, as well as improving the skills of Libyan oil sector employees. They stressed the importance of developing partnerships aimed at reducing carbon emissions through the transfer of technology and knowledge necessary to achieve shared environmental goals, especially within the framework of initiatives launched by the NOC during the COP28 Global Climate Summit to curb methane and carbon dioxide emissions.
In conclusion, both sides agreed to continue coordination, including organizing future meetings and visits, with the goal of strengthening economic cooperation and facilitating the entry of U.S. companies into Libya’s oil sector.