https://50th.opecfund.org https://50th.opecfund.org/while-the-world-has-changed-peoples-fundamental-needs-remain <div data-rss-type="text"> <h4> <span> Hamad S. Al-Bazai, Chairman of the OPEC Fund Governing Board, on “our remarkable journey” as a catalyst for development and how understanding the past can help us shape the future </span> </h4> </div> <div data-rss-type="text"> <p> <strong> OPEC Fund Quarterly: </strong> <span> <span> Can you tell us about your early life and how your professional journey brought you to the OPEC Fund? </span> </span> </p> <p> <br/> </p> <p> <strong> Hamad S. Al-Bazai: </strong> <span> <span> I began my career as a university professor, teaching Economics at King Saud University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. I served as Assistant Professor, then Associate Professor and later as Acting Dean of the College of Business and Economics. My professional transition came when I joined the Ministry of Finance as Deputy Minister for Economic Affairs. That role opened the door to international financial relations – working with institutions like the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, Islamic Development Bank, as well as representing Saudi Arabia in the G20. Through these responsibilities, I became deeply involved in development finance and the work of multilateral institutions. In 2005, I was appointed Governor for Saudi Arabia at the OPEC Fund, before being elected Chairman of the Governing Board in 2017. This journey reflects my commitment to advancing development cooperation and ensuring that institutions like ours deliver real impact. </span> </span> </p> <p> <br/> </p> </div> <div> <img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/fd2955c0/dms3rep/multi/20250617-085128-EKC09007.jpg" alt=""/> </div> Sun, 25 Jan 2026 13:27:10 GMT https://50th.opecfund.org/while-the-world-has-changed-peoples-fundamental-needs-remain thumbnail main image