The Atlantic Council, a leading Washington, DC-based think tank, will bring together energy leaders to discuss the sector’s most pressing issues at the inaugural Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum in Abu Dhabi this week.

The event, taking place on January 12 and13 at Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island, marks the first time the Atlantic Council will host an event in the GCC.

Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and in partnership with the Ministry of Energy, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), Mubadala, IPIC and Masdar, the two-day event will bring together approximately 350 leading energy voices from the region and around the world.  

The forum will become an integral part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, preceding key events including the International Renewable Energy Agency’s Annual Assembly and the World Future Energy Summit. It will help set the 2017 energy agenda in order to strengthen understanding of energy markets, encourage breakthrough technologies and foster sustainable development.

Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy, said: “Our partnership with the internationally-renowned Atlantic Council solidifies the UAE’s position as a leader in the energy sector and is in line with our leadership’s long-term plans and goals, as outlined in the National Agenda and Vision 2021. This forum will not only provide a platform for discussion on recent trends impacting the energy sector, but will help set the agenda for 2017.”

Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, CEO of Adnoc Group and Minister of State, said: “The Atlantic Council’s interest in launching its inaugural Global Energy Forum here is a testament to Abu Dhabi’s leading role in the global energy sector.”

“The forum also marks a welcome addition to Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week,” added Dr Al Jaber. “By bringing together leaders from across the entire energy spectrum, it will make a valuable contribution to ADSW’s central mission to help achieve sustainable development. In a world where no single sector has all the solutions, this forum provides a unique platform for traditional, renewable and nuclear industries to work together on practical outcomes that are both economically and environmentally sustainable.”

Frederick Kempe, Atlantic Council President and CEO, added: “Abu Dhabi has always been a leader in developing both traditional and renewable energy resources, so it was a natural choice for our first-ever GCC forum. I am looking forward to an interesting debate with the sector’s leading policy makers, business leaders and private experts in what I am confident will become a critical forum for engagement.”

The forum will focus on three key themes: the implications of the US elections for the global security and energy space; the emerging new oil and gas market order; and breakthrough energy technologies in the context of energy sector transformation and climate change. This partnership was formalised by the MoU signed between the Atlantic Council and the Ministry of Energy earlier this year. The Atlantic Council is grateful for the support of its partners, including Crescent Petroleum and Dentons, who are platinum sponsors of this year’s Global Energy Forum.

Confirmed speakers include, but are not limited to:
•  Anwar Bin Mohammed Gargash, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs;
• Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy;
• Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State, CEO of Adnoc Group;
• Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, CEO and managing director, Mubadala Development Company;
• Gov. Jon Huntsman, Jr., chairman, Atlantic Council;
• Frederick Kempe, president and CEO, Atlantic Council;
• Adnan Amin, director general, Irena;
• Musabbeh Al Kaabi, CEO, Mubadala Petroleum;
• Christof Ruhl, global head of research, ADIA