The fifth annual Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum in Abu Dhabi, to be held next week, will focus on the challenges and opportunities in the post-pandemic energy system.
The forum will convene this year in an innovative and interactive virtual format, from January 19 to 22.
The event will bring together senior government officials, industry executives, energy ministers, and recognized thought leaders to set the energy agenda for the year.
The forum will have a particular emphasis on the challenges and opportunities in the post-pandemic energy system.
In a first for the event, the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Centre will be releasing "The Global Energy Agenda," a comprehensive survey of hundreds of leading energy experts on the impacts of COVID and the long-term outlook for the industry.
The forum will once again be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
It is convened in partnership with the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), and Mubadala Investment Company.
"Dialogue and collaboration are more important now than ever before, and given the unprecedented and unique challenges we face, our sector will play a vital role in the post-COVID-19 recovery," said Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei.
He added: "The future of our industry relies on strong research and development, innovation, and collaboration to overcome the challenges that lie ahead. The global pandemic has highlighted the importance of achieving our shared goals and vision to ensure a sustainable, happy, and prosperous future for all.
The Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum presents an important platform and opportunity for stakeholders from around the world to collaborate, discuss, and debate the future of our industry.”
The four-day convening will be hosted in a manner that allows participation and contribution from participants around the world, with the program broadcast live for audiences across all major time zones.
The Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum will once again be part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, a global event accelerating the world's sustainable development.
"The ongoing pandemic and its economic blowback have accelerated and sharpened trends in the global energy transition toward decarbonization, advanced energy technology solutions, and accompanying geopolitical shifts," said Frederick Kempe, Atlantic Council president, and CEO.
"While we regret not being able to gather in Abu Dhabi physically, this virtual global format will allow for unprecedented participation from energy industry leaders, key decision-makers, and the international media," he added.
Musabbeh Al Kaabi, CEO of UAE Investments at Mubadala Investment Company, stated: "Significant investment in all forms of energy will be required to meet future global energy demand and meet international emission targets, and we are actively exploring opportunities in emerging energy technologies and hydrogen in particular."
The 2021 Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum will also include a special addition; a US-focused Bipartisan Summit on Climate and the Economy featuring congressional leaders from both sides of the aisle. The discussion, to be convened on January 22, will identify common-sense clean energy solutions that address the triple crises of COVID-19, job loss, and climate change.