A forward-thinking conference focusing on the future of the energy sector in a post-oil world is set to be held in Bahrain.

The two-day GCC Leadership Conference, organised by Expression Marketing Communications, will open at the Moevenpick Hotel Bahrain on April 15 under the patronage of Energy Minister Dr Abdulhussain Mirza, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

To be held under the theme 'Developing Energy Leaders', it is expected to bring together energy sector leaders from across the Gulf, who aim to lay the foundations for the emergence of a new generation of specialists

Expression Marketing Communications founder and managing director Aseel Al Mohandis told the GDN that it had taken two years to plan this third edition of the conference. "No longer is oil and gas going to rule the energy sector," she said.

"We are diversifying our economies but energy is still a major component of the gross domestic product of all GCC countries. So we have to look at other energy sources and train the next generation to adopt new techniques, ideas and resources."

According to the latest available International Monetary Fund estimates, Bahrain's break-even oil price - the average price which is needed to balance the budget - is more than $110 a barrel.

However, according to most international benchmarks the current price of oil is around $50 a barrel.

Al Mohandis said that the Gulf needs to diversify away from hydrocarbons to avoid the effect of such price shocks.

"The new generation is extremely talented, ambitious and very energetic, and I think they can do a lot," she said.

"Bahrainis and GCC nationals are very well educated and motivated characters. They are knowledgeable about what is going on in the sector and a lot of them are keen to study, but that is not enough.

"We want a body that actually takes the responsibility of training new energy leaders. When we talk about leadership we are talking about management and training, human capital and a lot of other things - but an energy leader must possess the technical know-how. They have to have the qualities of a leader but also must have the technical background that will enable them to lead the sector,” she added.

Al Mohandis said that the conference would "shed light on the importance of leadership in the energy sector".

"Energy is the engine of our economy and I don't see much public sector support of it," she said. "So we are shedding light on the need for that support."

The GDN reported yesterday on UK think-tank Chatham House's 'Future Trends in the Gulf' report that emphasised the need for Bahrain and other GCC states to diversify from oil and work on developing a functioning post-oil economy.

The majority of GCC states would run out of hydrocarbons resources within the lifetime of their citizens who are born today, it warned. – TradeArabia News Service