The Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (NOC) of the Republic of the Congo and the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) have inked three pivotal agreements aimed at bolstering cooperation in refinery development, training, and sustainable natural resource management.
During a state visit to Azerbaijan in April, President Denis Sassou-Nguesso oversaw the signing of these agreements, marking a significant step in enhancing bilateral relations between the two nations.
The first agreement, an MoU on the improvement and expansion of the Congolaise de Raffinage oil refinery, was signed by the Director-General of the NOC, Maixent Raoul Ominga, and SOCAR President Roshvan Najaf.
With a capacity of 1 million tons of oil annually, the refinery specializes in processing light oil, contributing to the nation’s energy sector development.
Furthermore, Ominga and Najaf signed a second MoU on training between SOCAR and the NOC, underscoring the commitment to enhancing workforce skills and capacity building in the Congolese oil industry.
The third agreement, signed between the Republic of the Congo’s Minister of Environment, Sustainable Development, and the Congo Basin, Arlette Soudan-Nonault, and Azerbaijan’s Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Mukhtar Babayev, focuses on promoting sustainable resource management.
This agreement aims to strengthen environmental protection efforts, contribute to human health and well-being, alleviate poverty, and ensure equitable management of natural resources in the Congo Basin region.
These agreements signify a strategic partnership between the Republic of the Congo and Azerbaijan, aimed at fostering mutual development and sustainable resource utilization.
Through collaborative efforts in the oil sector and environmental management, both countries seek to achieve economic growth, environmental sustainability, and improved livelihoods for their citizens.
