Sylvester Turner, the mayor of Houston, which is set to host the next World Petroleum Congress, has praised the congress in Istanbul as he invited oil industry representatives to participate in the 2020 event.

"I want to thank Turkey and all those affiliated in hosting this particular congress in 2017," Turner told Anadolu Agency (AA), the global communication partner at this year's congress.

"They have been a very gracious host. The hospitality has simply been terrific. It has set the bar very high for the series in Houston," said Turner.

He then elaborated on Houston's oil and gas industry. "Houston is a major global center for the energy industry. Currently, there are more than 4,800 oil and gas companies in the greater Houston area."

"These Houston-based companies generated more than 40 percent of the petrochemical capacity of the U.S. and employed one-third of our country's oil and gas workers," he said.

Asked about the recent U.S. travel ban currently affecting citizens from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, Turner said, "We will work very hard to ensure that people will not face any significant problem." High-level executives from leading energy companies and up to 50 energy ministers attended the Congress, under the theme, "Bridges to our Energy Future."