IEF17
International Energy Forum Ministerial

Introduction

In a world of structural shifts and sharpened uncertainty, dialogue is the critical infrastructure that underpins global energy security.

On 26 April 2026, Energy Ministers, industry leaders, and heads of international organizations will gather in Riyadh for the 17th International Energy Forum Ministerial (IEF17). Hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in conjunction with the 25th WPC Energy Congress, IEF17 will reaffirm the essential role of inclusive, neutral, and data-driven dialogue in strengthening market stability, rebuilding investor confidence, and advancing shared energy goals.

Ministerial Dialogue on Energy Security and Shared Goals in A New Era

Global energy markets are no longer shaped by cycles alone. Structural transformations, geoeconomic realignments, rapid policy evolution, technology competition, and supply chain vulnerabilities are redefining risk, opportunity, and interdependence across the energy system.

Recent shocks have amplified volatility. Supply chain bottlenecks, regulatory uncertainty, financing constraints, and widening global energy divides risk undermining both energy security and the pursuit of universal access to affordable energy and climate objectives. Rapidly growing demand in emerging economies underscores the urgency of delivering clean, reliable, and affordable energy to all.

Against this backdrop, IEF17 will provide a neutral and inclusive Ministerial platform to:

• Reinforce global energy security and market stability
• Promote cohesive policy approaches across producers and consumers
• Strengthen transparent functioning of increasingly complex markets
• Reinvigorate trade and investment across the full energy spectrum

Dialogue at IEF17 will focus on energy policy change and continuity, cohesive approaches to clean technology deployment, and the trade and investment frameworks needed to meet universal energy access and greenhouse gas emissions goals, without compromising economic resilience, competitiveness, or development aspirations.

Dialogue is the critical infrastructure that underpins global energy security

Coinciding with the 25th WPC Energy Congress, IEF17 offers a unique opportunity to elevate public and private engagement at the highest level. Ministers and industry leaders will leverage the producer consumer dialogue to:

• Address vulnerabilities across supply chains and infrastructure networks
• Enhance policy foresight and market resilience
• Restore investor confidence in long-term energy projects
• Accelerate access to affordable clean technologies

Energy security requires unprecedented levels of dialogue and collaboration among IEF ministers and industry leaders to boost investor confidence, facilitate energy trade and technology advancements and ensure that shared goals are well anchored in global energy market realities.

Participants

Hosts

• Saudi Arabia
  HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Energy

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  HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz

  Minister of Energy

  His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz was appointed Minister of Energy in September 2019. In his capacity as Minister of Energy of Saudi Arabia, Prince Abdulaziz is responsible for coordinating the Kingdom’s domestic and international energy policies in line with the goals of Vision 2030. This includes overseeing energy activities within the Kingdom; regulating the oil, gas, electricity, nuclear and renewables sectors in the interests of the Kingdom in the short and long term and directing Saudi international policy with regard to relations with producers (including through OPEC and OPEC+) and with consumers. He has been an active participant in shaping energy policy, both nationally and internationally for more than thirty years and he is the chairman of many energy related organizations.

  Prior to his appointment as the Minister of Energy, Prince Abdulaziz served in numerous capacities in the Ministry over the past three decades, including as Minister of State for Energy Affairs, Vice Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Assistant Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Deputy Minister for Petroleum Affairs and Adviser to the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources.

  HRH holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) (1985) and a Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Management (1982), both from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals. After graduation, he served from 1985-87 as Director of the Economic and Industrial Research Division of the Research Institute at King Fahd University of Petroleum.

• IEF
  H.E. Jassim Alshirawi, Secretary General, IEF

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  Jassim Alshirawi

  Secretary General, IEF

  Jassim Alshirawi is the sixth Secretary General of the International Energy Forum (IEF), the largest international organization of energy ministers, headquartered in the Diplomatic Quarter of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. His term officially began on January 1, 2025.

  The first Secretary General of the IEF from the Middle East, Mr. Alshirawi is seasoned veteran of the energy industry with over 40 years of energy experience and leadership in both the public and private sectors.

  Mr. Alshirawi contributed to the advancement of Bahrain's energy sector in various roles, including as advisory to the Minister of Oil & Gas, and in multiple leadership roles at the Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco), the National Oil & Gas Authority, the Ministry of Oil. He has contributed towards the development of the Sustainable Energy Centre, that oversaw the implementation of National Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Plans under Bahrain's Minister of Electricity and Water.

  He has coordinated Bahrain's participation in a number of energy organizations, including WPC (now WPC Energy), the International Gas Union (IGU), the IEF, and OPEC.
  With seven years of experience as Bahrain's representative on the Executive Board and nine years on the International Support Group of the International Energy Forum, Mr. Alshirawi brings in-depth knowledge of the organization he now leads.

  Mr. Alshirawi's lifelong contributions to Bahrain's energy and engineering sectors were honored in 2019 when His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa awarded him the prestigious the Order of National Action medal.

Ministers and Government

• Algeria
  H.E. Mohamed Arkab, Minister of Energy, Hydrocarbons and Mines

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  Mohamed Arkab

  Minister of Energy, Hydrocarbons and Mines

  Mr. Mohamed Arkab holds a State Engineering Diploma in Mechanics, specializing in Energy Science. He also holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Business Management.

  Mr. Arkab joined the industrial assembly company ETTERKIB in September 1990. He held various positions of responsibility there: Mechanical Project Manager (from September 1990 to March 1992), then Site Director for power plants (from April 1992 to January 1997), and finally Site Director (from February 1997 to October 2003).

  Throughout his career, Mr. ARKAB has led numerous energy infrastructure projects (power plants, substations, oil and gas processing units, LNG, etc.) and industrial projects of national importance.

  In November 2003, he was promoted to Director of Works at ETTERKIB, responsible for the execution of all power plant and industrial projects, a position he held until June 2006, when he was appointed Chairman and CEO of the company.

  In September 2010, Mr. ARKAB became Chairman and CEO of the Electricity and Gas Engineering Company (CEEG), a subsidiary of the Sonelgaz Group, mandated to implement the entire development program for the Sonelgaz Group's subsidiaries. His achievements include:

  • The 4000 MW and 8000 MW programs and the 2000 MW emergency program for power plants.
  • The five-year public gas distribution programs and the infrastructure of the national gas transmission network.
  • The national electricity transmission network development programs (lines and substations).
  • Launch of the national renewable energy program, with the construction of the first high-efficiency photovoltaic power plant and the first wind farm.
  • Preparation for the launch of the new national renewable energy program with a capacity of 4,050 MW in photovoltaic power plants.

  Since his appointment as head of CEEG, the following have been commissioned: more than 8,032 MW of additional national electricity generation capacity, 9,200 km of national gas transmission network (including the construction of more than 700 public gas distribution points with pipelines ranging from 8" to 28"), 180 electrical substations with a transformation capacity of more than 20,448 MVA, and 6,700 km of national electricity transmission network with 60, 220, and 400 kV lines.

  Before assuming his new role as Minister of Energy, Mr. ARKAB served as Chairman of Sonelgaz, a position he has held since his appointment on Wednesday, August 30, 2017.

  Mr. Arkab has headed the newly created Ministry of Mines since June 20, 2020.

  Mr. Mohamed Arkab was born on February 19, 1966, in Hussein Dey, Algiers. He is married and has three children.

• Azerbaijan
  H.E. Parviz Shahbazov, Minister of Energy

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  Parviz Shahbazov

  Minister of Energy

  Parviz Shahbazov was born in Baku on 24 November 1969.
  He studied at Azerbaijan State Oil Academy, 1986-1992, and did military service in 1988-1989.

  Since 1990, he began his diplomatic career as an intern at the Department of International Economic Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

  In 1992-1996, he worked as an attache at the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Federal Republic of Germany, and in 1996-2001, he served as a Second Secretary, First Secretary, Head of Department, Deputy Head of Department for Europe, USA and Canada of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

  He then served as Advisor and Chargé d'affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Republic of Austria during the period 2001-2005.

  He was the Chairman of the Security Cooperation Forum of the OSCE in 2005.

  After that, he was appointed as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Federal Republic of Germany in 2005 and served in this position till 2016.

  He served as the Ambassador-at-large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan during the period 2016-2017. He was appointed as the Minister of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan on October 12, 2017.

  He is fluent in Azerbaijani (native), Russian, English and German.

  He is married and has two children.

• Bahrain
  H.E. Dr. Mohamed bin Mubarak Bin Daina, Minister of Oil and Environment, Special Envoy for Climate Affairs

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  Mohamed bin Mubarak Bin Daina

  Minister of Oil and Environment, Special Envoy for Climate Affairs

  H.E. Dr. Mohamed bin Mubarak Bin Daina is Bahrain’s special envoy for climate affairs and chief executive of the Supreme Council for Environment. Prior to his appointment, he was the deputy chief executive of the Supreme Council for Environment. In his current post, he is mandated to cover a number of national environmental issues, including air quality, climate change, environmental impact assessment, pollution control, waste management land resources, and marine and coastal conservation

  Bin Daina has led delegations relevant to the Montreal Protocol, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and various regional and international environmental conferences and summits. A double honoree by Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, Bin Daina received his PhD in chemical engineering from Imperial College London and earned his postgraduate certificate in academic practice from York St. John University.

  He has also been awarded a Fulbright Scholarship by Texas A&M University. His extensive academic background includes a bachelor of science in petroleum engineering from the United Arab Emirates University and a master of science in chemical engineering from the University of Wales, Swansea. Bin Daina has recently been appointed special envoy for climate affairs. He is also a member at the executive committee of the United Nations Environment Program for special projects.

• Djibouti
  H.E. Yonis Ali Guedi, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

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  Yonis Ali Guedi

  Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

  Mr. Yonis Ali Guedi holds a master’s degree in human resources management. After a brief stint in the banking sector and within the National Education system, Mr. Yonis Ali Guedi joined the Port of Djibouti, the country's main economic hub, in 2000. And after a little over a decade of a very promising career, which saw him climb almost every rung of the ladder, he was appointed, in 2013, Head of the Terminal Service and Support Department at the Container Terminal Management of the Port of Djibouti.
  A polyglot, he has also benefited from several training courses throughout his long career, particularly in the fields of management, employment and skills planning, and business English development.

  On April 5, 2017, Mr. Yonis Ali Guedi joined the government and headed the Ministry of Energy, responsible for Natural Resources, a key portfolio in the Djiboutian government, which aims to make the Republic of Djibouti the first African country to use 100% green energy by 2035.

• Egypt
  H.E. Eng. Karim Badawi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources

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  Karim Badawi

  Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources

  Education:

  • Stanford University – California , 2023
    SLB Net Zero Executive program 10-15 September 2023
  • UC Berkeley – California, 2021
    Schlumberger Digital Business Excellence Program
  • International Institute for Management Development– Switzerland, 2010
    IMD Executive Strategic Finance training
  • Erasmus University – Holland – MBA, 2008
    Thesis Topic: Role of Social Networking in Improving business performance
  • American University – Cairo – M.SC. Mechanical Engineering, 1998
    Thesis: Finite Element Modeling of wellbore stability analysis
  • American University – Cairo – B.SC. Mechanical Engineering, 1995 
    Major in Mechanical Engineering and Minor of Industrial Engineering, GPA 3.8/4

  Experience:

  • Director New Energy, SLB Middle East & North Africa, after holding the position of the Enterprise Digital Performance Director, SLB Global HQ Houston, and before that held the position of Managing Director, Schlumberger Egypt, Sudan & East Mediterranean, in which he had a diverse career in engineering, practical and upstream sectors, as well as, marketing, training, information technology, human resources management sectors, working in the fields of Improving organizational structures, managing change, and laying out the strategies to achieve successful results, financing and ensuring effective operations performance.
  • Managed important projects which resulted in improving management and efficiency in oil, gas and decarbonization fields, preparing for new and clean energy systems, all while ensuring environmental balance, and continuing to support and develop relations between partners including ministries developers, EPC companies and different stakeholders of technology and industrial development, including oil, gas, electricity, iron and cement industries, to reduce emissions and achieve ambitions regarding new energy.
  • Participated in various international energy conferences, such as CERAWEEK in Houston in march 2023, Saudi petrochemical investment forum, World Utilities Congress in Abu Dhabi in May 2023, MENA Climate Week in Riyadh in September 2023, ADIPEC in the UAE in October 2023, EMGF decarbonization workshop in October 2023 in Cairo, COP28 in Dubai, in which he participated in the decarbonization technology seminar, held in the Egyptian pavilion during COP28, and the Oman summit for green hydrogen in Muscat in December 2023.

  Concerning the Egyptian Petroleum Sector, H.E. participated in the implementation of many Significant projects, including:

  • Establishing the Egypt Upstream Gateway (EUG), to encourage and facilitate investment in the Petroleum Sector, digitalize international bid rounds, and set the foundation for encouraging investments in the new Energy Sector. EUG is a unique model, as it includes digitizing and updating all subterranean layers’ data for utilization to attract investment, reduce risk for investors, and offer new regions for upstream activity
  • Implementing seismic operations using modern technologies to facilitate the success of Upstream operations in the Gulf of Suez. Modern technology was used to merge old data with new ones to create more accurate data for increasing the chances of successful exploration operations as well as increasing production from the Gulf of Suez fields.
  • Participation in the Petroleum Sector Modernization program in the programs of attracting investments, developing skills in the sector, and using the latest advanced equipments in Upstream and field development operations.
  • Participation as a technological partner in implementing Zohr natural gas field development project.

  Over 27 years in many petroleum operating regions, the extensive international work experience represents an essential foundation in:

  • Developing technical, administrative and human development strategies, in addition to dealing with energy companies, Ministries and international institutions to bolster building bridges for communication and encouraging investments.
  • Establishing new organizational structures, business integrations, support services, digital content, change management, and communication skills, all of which are important elements for restructuring institutions.
  • Providing extensive information concerning best practices in the decarbonization domain, new energy systems, carbon solutions, and working with electricity companies and many ministries of energy and mineral resources in the Middle East and North Africa region.
  • Considering the incentives and regulatory frameworks affecting the energy sources map in Egypt and their positive impact on the production sector, as well as increasing green energy production.

• Libya
  H.E. Dr. Khalifa Abdulsadek, Minister of Oil and Gas

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  Khalifa Abdulsadek

  Minister of Oil and Gas

  Dr. Khalifa Abdulsadek is a Senior Petroleum Engineer with more than 20 years’ diversified national and international oil and gas experience with a focus on the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) and North America.

  Dr. Abdulsadek’s wide experience includes reservoir engineering, field development planning, field operations, strategic planning and business development. He has participated in several high-profile oil and gas development projects in the MENA region and in North America.

  He was the Chairman of the Management Committee of Zallaf Libya Oil and Gas, a newly established, 100% NOC-owned energy company in Libya. He is also the Chairman of the Owners’ Management Committee of Waha Oil Company also in Libya.

  Between 2015 and 2017, he taught Petroleum Engineering courses in the Chemical and Petroleum Engineering Department at the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada. Previously, he worked for Repsol Oil Operations in Libya, Repsol in Spain and with Talisman Energy in Canada.

  Dr. Abdulsadek holds a B.Sc. degree in Petroleum Engineering from Tripoli University, Libya and a PhD degree in Petroleum Engineering from Heriot-Watt University, Scotland, UK.

• Mauritania
  H.E. Mohamed Ould Khaled, Minister of Petroleum and Energy

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  Mohamed Ould Khaled

  Minister of Petroleum and Energy

  Professional Experience

  • Minister of Energy and Petroleum since August 6, 2024
  • CEO of the Mauritanian Hydrocarbons Company (SMH) in February 2024
  • Entrepreneur in the private sector and founder of industrial companies since June 2016
  • Returned to Mauritania in 2009 (after living abroad) and engaged in business by creating companies in the sectors of mining exploration, mining logistics, and crushing.
  • Commercial Director for China at Texas Instruments, based in Shanghai, from January 2007 to January 2009. Responsible for activities and business relations with key international clients in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
  • Business Development Director for Europe at Texas Instruments, based in Munich, Germany, from June 2005 to December 2006. Directly responsible for a team in thirteen European countries, ensuring technical and commercial relations with clients specializing in high-tech products.
  • Marketing Director for processing products at Texas Instruments, based in Munich, Germany, from November 2001 to May 2005. Responsible for technical and commercial relations with leading telecommunications sector companies in Europe.
  • Application Engineer at Mentor Graphics in Munich, Germany, from August 1998 to October 2001. Responsible for selling simulation software across Europe.
  • Student Exchange Program at Wright State University in Ohio, United States, from August 1996 to March 1997.
  • Internship at DT Ulm, Germany, from March 1995 to September 1995. Developed electronic test circuits.
  • Mandatory internship at Deutsche Telekom in Rottweil, Germany, from February 1993 to May 1993. Practical internship to enter engineering schools.
  • Worked during studies in programming, e-commerce, and robotics at Siemens DTGS.

  Degrees and Training

  • Executive MBA from CERAM Campus Sophia Antipolis, Nice, France, in November 2005. Specialized training for business executives. Specialties: Management, Finance, Strategy, and Marketing.
  • Various training courses in Leadership, Negotiation, Communication, and Strategy from 1999 to 2008.
  • Precision Electronics Engineer from the University of Ulm, Germany, in July 1998.
  • High School Diploma in Mathematics from Nouadhibou High School in 1992.

  Languages Spoken Fluently

  • Arabic
  • French
  • German
  • English.

• Mexico
  H.E. Luz Elena Gonzalez Escobar, Secretary of Energy

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  Luz Elena Gonzalez Escobar

  Secretary of Energy

  H.E. Luz Elena Gonzalez Escobar holds a degree in Economics from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), a Master's degree in Law from the Technological University of Mexico (UTEM), specializing in Tax Law, a Master's degree in Urban Planning from the University of Catalonia, and is a graduate of the "Leadership for Environment and Development" advanced studies program at El Colegio de México. She also holds a diploma in sustainable development from the Ibero-American University and has completed various specializations in urban planning and finance.

  In the public sector, she has over 20 years of experience in the management and operation of economic and urban planning projects and financial strategies.

  She has served as Secretary of Administration and Finance for Mexico City; Director General of the Passenger Transportation Network; General Coordinator of Educational and Pedagogical Development for the Mexico City Ministry of Education; Director General of the Credit Recovery Trust; Deputy Treasurer of the Cadastre and Land Registry of the Federal District; Executive Director at the Ministry of the Environment; and Advisor to the National Institute of Ecology.

• Nigeria
  H.E. Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil)

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  Heineken Lokpobiri

  Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil)

  Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, (Ph.D), the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), was born on 3rd March, 1967, and hails from Ekeremor Local Government Area in present-day Bayelsa State. He completed his Senior School Certificate at Government Secondary School Borokiri, Port Harcourt, and then pursued a Bachelor of Law degree (LL.B) at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt (Now Rivers State University).

  After graduating, he attended the Nigerian Law School Victoria Island, Lagos, where he obtained his Qualifying Certificate and Certificate of Call to the Bar as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Driven by a thirst for knowledge, he furthered his education at the Leeds Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom, earning a Masters in Law (LLM) in 2012 and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in 2015.

  Throughout his career, Senator Lokpobiri attended various seminars and courses, including The Oxford High-Performance Leadership Programme at the Said Business School, University of Oxford (November 2012), the Programme on the United States Election System at the International Law Institute, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C (April 2014), and Executive-Legislature Relations and Effective Legislative Performance at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University, Washington, D.C (April 2014).

  Senator Lokpobiri’s career spans both the private and public sectors. He served as a Pupil Counsel during his National Youth Service (NYSC) scheme at the Badagry Local Government Council in Lagos. From 1999 to 2003, he was a member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, representing Ekeremor Constituency II and serving as Speaker of the House from 1999 to 2001. Subsequently, he worked as the Principal Legal Director at Lokpobiri & Co (Legal Practitioners and Consultants) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, from 2003 to 2007. Between 2007 and 2015, Senator Lokpobiri served as a member of the National Assembly, representing Bayelsa West in the 6th and 7th National Assembly. During his tenure in the Senate, he held the position of Chairman of the Committees on Water Resources, and Sports and Social Development; and was a member of various committees, including those on Niger Delta and Petroleum (Down Stream). He was also recognized for sponsoring several bills and motions during his time in the Senate.

  In 2015, Senator Lokpobiri was appointed as the Honourable Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, a role he held until the dissolution of the cabinet in 2019. In August 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, appointed him as the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil).

  Senator Lokpobiri is the recipient of multiple awards and recognitions and has authored several publications during his career.

• Oman
  H.E. Eng. Salim bin Nasser Al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals

• Pakistan
  H.E. Ali Pervaiz Malik, Federal Minister for Petroleum

• Qatar
  H.E. Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Minister of State for Energy Affairs & Cabinet Member CEO of QatarEnergy

• Romania
  H.E. Bogdan-Gruia Ivan, Minister of Energy

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  Bogdan-Gruia Ivan

  Minister of Energy

  With over a decade of experience in public administration and politics, I currently serve as Romania’s Minister of Energy, a role central to strengthening our nation’s economic resilience and strategic autonomy.

  My mission is to fortify Romania’s energy security, ensure reliable, continuous power generation, and most importantly, reduce energy prices for Romanian households and businesses. By advancing projects across natural gas, nuclear, renewables, and energy storage, we are building a stable, competitive, and sustainable energy system that fuels industrial growth and protects consumers.

  At the European level, I represent Romania in high-level energy policy discussions, promoting a balanced and forward-looking approach that enhances regional interconnections, energy independence, and drives technological innovation throughout the sector.

  Previously, as Minister of Economy, Digitalization, Entrepreneurship and Tourism — and earlier as a Member of Parliament and Vice-President of the IT&C Committee — I helped shape the legislative, economic, and digital frameworks that now anchor Romania’s modernization and competitiveness.

• Senegal
  H.E. Birame Soulèye Diop, Minister of of Energy, Petroleum and Mines

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  Birame Soulèye Diop

  Minister of of Energy, Petroleum and Mines

  Mr. Birame Souleye Diop has been appointed head of the highly strategic Ministry of Energy, Petroleum, and Mines by His Excellency President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye. A tax and industry inspector, he holds a key position within the team tasked with implementing the Project for a United, Sovereign, Just, and Prosperous Senegal.

  Academically, after completing his secondary education at the Malick Sy High School in Thiès, Mr. Birame Souleye Diop was admitted to Gaston Berger University in Saint-Louis. In Sanar, he brilliantly earned a Master's degree (DEA) in Law before attending the prestigious National School of Administration (ENA).

  Following this exemplary academic path, Mr. Birame Souleye Diop began his professional career within the Senegalese civil service. And thanks to his rigor and high sense of duty, he held important positions such as Head of the Dakar 1 Control Office, among other responsibilities.

• Türkiye
  H.E. Dr. Alparslan Bayraktar, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

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  Alparslan Bayraktar

  Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

  Between 2016-2018, Alparslan Bayraktar served as the General Manager of Foreign Relations and European Union and Deputy Undersecretary at the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources; between 2010-2016, he was a Board Member at the Energy Market Regulatory Authority; and between 2018-2023, he served as Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources.

  With the Presidential Decree 2023/284 dated June 3, 2023, he was appointed as the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.

  Before his public service, he worked for the private sector in Türkiye and abroad.

  Alparslan Bayraktar also holds positions in various international organizations involved in issues relating to energy governance. He served as the Chairman of International Confederation of Energy Regulators (ICER) and Energy Regulators Regional Association (ERRA). Currently, he is the Chairman of World Energy Council Türkiye.

• Yemen
  H.E. Saeed Sulaiman Al‑Shamasi, Minister of Oil and Minerals

• Zambia
  H.E. Makozo Chikote, Minister of Energy

• Zimbabwe
  H.E. July Moyo, Minister of Energy

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  July Moyo

  Minister of Energy

  Honourable July Moyo is a seasoned public administrator and policymaker with a distinguished record of service in the Government of Zimbabwe, spanning several decades and multiple portfolios. His career reflects deep institutional knowledge, technical competence, and a steadfast commitment to national development.

  He began his journey as deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, where he led capacity-building initiatives for local authorities and ministry staff. His strong administrative acumen saw him serve in the Office of the President and Cabinet, where he played a key role in coordinating government strategy and political affairs.

  As Permanent Secretary, he served in several ministries including Transport, Labour and Social Welfare, Energy, and Environment overseeing critical sectors such as railways, ZESA, airways, and inland waterways, and contributing to policy frameworks that shaped Zimbabwe’s infrastructure and social welfare systems. He co-authored the Human Resources Handbook (2000) and was instrumental in establishing the first human resources department at Midlands State University.

  A former Governor of Midlands Province and later Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, he also served as Minister of Local Government and Public Works, where he spearheaded reforms in urban governance and service delivery.

  After a brief period in consultancy, he returned to public service, continuing to champion governance, labour, and energy reforms.

  In January 2025, Honourable July G. Moyo was appointed Minister of Energy and Power Development, where he leads Zimbabwe’s energy transformation agenda, focusing on sustainability, innovation, and reliable power for national growth.

CEOs and Experts

• ACWA Power
  Mohammad Abunayyan, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors, ACWA Power

• Ajax Holdings
  Charif Souki, Chairman, Ajax Holdings

• Aramco
  Amin Nasser, President and CEO, Aramco

• Baker Hughes
  Lorenzo Simonelli, Chairman & CEO, Baker Hughes; Mr

• Boston Consulting Group (BCG)
  Iván Martén, Senior Advisor, Boston Consulting Group (BCG)

• Energy Aspects
  Amrita Sen, Founder and Director of Market Intelligence, Energy Aspects

• Meyer Resources
  Cornelia Meyer, CEO, Meyer Resources

• Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPC)
  Bayo Bashir Ojulari, CEO, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPC)

• Nuclearelectrica
  Cosmin Ghita, CEO, Nuclearelectrica

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  Cosmin Ghita

  CEO, Nuclearelectrica

  Cosmin Ghita is a graduate of Bates College of the United States, with specialization in international political economics. He started his career in the USA, with Chevron, Washington, contributing then to the company’s efforts in Romania. During the period 2015-2017, he was a partner in the private investment fund in energy Amerocap, headquartered in New York, supporting transactions and efforts for attracting capital in the field of energy and mineral resources, in Romania, Ukraine and the United Kingdom. He then held the position of advisers of the Prime Minister of Romania on issues of energy security and energy policy. Since September 2017, he has been occupying the position of Chief Executive Officer of Nuclearelectrica.

  Mr. Cosmin Ghita is the first Romanian elected within the Main Governing Board of World Association of Nuclear Operators (“WANO”), contributing to the fulfilment of the objectives of this international associations of strengthening nuclear safety and the culture of nuclear safety, with impact on all nuclear power plants in the world. Mr. Ghita is fluent in Romanian, English, Russian and French.

• RBC Capital Markets
  Helima Croft, Global Head of Commodity Strategy, RBC Capital Markets

• SOMO
  Ali Al-Shatari, Director General, SOMO

• Sonatrach Group
  Nour Eddine Daoudi, CEO, Sonatrach Group

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  Nour Eddine Daoudi

  CEO, Sonatrach Group

  Born on January 2nd,1960, Mr. Nour Eddine DAOUDI graduated on 1987 at Houari Boumediene University of Science and Technology in Algiers and holds a State Engineer diploma in Geology.

  M. DAOUDI draws upon a long and successful career to his credit of more than thirty-five years, characterized by a strong commitment and sense of professionalism, added to an efficient contribution to the development of national hydrocarbons industry.

  He joined SONATRACH in 1988, where he began his career within the Exploration Division. Gradually, Mr. DAOUDI was appointed at various positions of responsibility within the Exploration Division.

  • In 2018 he was promoted to Director of the Exploration Division. In this position, which he helduntil the end of 2019, he contributed to the introduction of modern technical and scientificapproaches to improve performance and enhance the level of geological knowledge.
  • In April 2020, he was appointed Chairman of the National Agency for the Valorizationof Hydrocarbons Resources (ALNAFT), a position held until June 2023. During his tenure,Mr. DAOUDI initiated an in-depth reform, notably by modernizing methods of management,reinforcing the principles of transparency and efficiency and improving the investment climatein the hydrocarbons sector.
  • Since January 2022, Mr. DAOUDI has also been a member of the executive office of theInternational Energy Forum (IEF), one of the leading international organizations gatheringenergy-producing and consuming countries.

  Mr. Nour Eddine DAOUDI was appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SONATRACH Group on October 26, 2025.

• Vopak
  Dick Richelle, CEO, Vopak

Organizations

• African Energy Chamber
  NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber

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  NJ Ayuk

  Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber

  A leading authority in the African Energy sector and a strong advocate for African entrepreneurship and development, NJ Ayuk is recognised as the foremost figure in African business. He is the Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber, an organisation at the forefront of the African Energy industry and championing industry development, investments and local economic empowerment through the elimination of continent-wide energy poverty. As a renowned dealmaker, NJ is also the founder of the pan-African full suite law conglomerate – CLG (formerly Centurion Law Group).

  NJ graduated from the University of Maryland College Park and earned a Juris Doctor from William Mitchell College of Law and an MBA from the New York Institute of Technology. NJ cut his teeth practising across multiple jurisdictions and advising major companies and governments on energy related issues, investment strategies and epoch- making deals for over 2 decades.

  Beyond his impeccable advisory and deal closing roles, NJ is also a prolific speaker and bestselling author. He is the author of “Big Barrels”, Amazon and Wall Street Journal’s bestseller “Billions at Play: The Future of African Energy and Doing Deals” and Amazon bestseller – A Just Transition: Making Energy Poverty History with an Energy Mix. His consistency and impartial challenge against unjust global energy trends which could negatively impact Africa and her people have seen him addressing world leaders and executives at prestigious events around the world.

  Drawing from experience working with the United Nations, he advises governments on judicial modernization, rule of law issues, and the training of African judges, prosecutors and lawyers on a pro bono basis. Mr. Ayuk regularly participates in industry-specific conferences and seminars as a speaker and moderator. Since 2018, he is also the executive chairman of the African Energy Chamber where he leads continent-wide efforts to build domestic capacity and advocate for a stronger and more united African energy industry.
  He continues to play a significant role in developing policies and strategies to create and maintain a thriving investment environment on the continent while advancing regulations, attracting investments and enhancing local content participation across the energy sector value chain.

• Brazilian Petroleum, Gas & Biofuels Institute
  Roberto Furian Ardenghy, CEO, Brazilian Petroleum, Gas & Biofuels Institute

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  Roberto Furian Ardenghy

  CEO, Brazilian Petroleum, Gas & Biofuels Institute

  Roberto Furian Ardenghy has a significant amount of work experience in various roles within the energy and industry sectors in Brazil. Roberto Furian currently works as a Representative from Brasil at WPC Energy since 2023. Prior to that, they were a Member of the National Industry Forum (FNI) at CNI - Confederação Nacional da Indústria in 2022. In the same year, they held the position of President/CEO at IBP - Instituto Brasileiro de Petróleo e Gás. In 2021, they were an Executive Committee Member/New York at the Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. and a Director at AMCHAM-Brasil. Before that, in 2020, they worked as a Director at Fiesp - Federação das Indústrias do Estado de São Paulo. One of their notable roles was as the Ministro da Carreira Diplomatica at the Governo Brasileiro - Ministério das Relações Exteriores from 2015 to 2022, where they supported Brazilian companies doing business in Texas and presented on Brazil's economy at various events. Their work as a Diplomat at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Brazil lasted from 1984 to 2022. Roberto Furian has also held various positions at Petrobras, including Advisor to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Institutional & Sustainability Officer, Chief Institutional Relations Officer, and Chief Of Staff. Additionally, they served as the President of the Board of Directors at IBP - Instituto Brasileiro de Petróleo e Gás from March 2021 to December 2021.

  Roberto Furian Ardenghy pursued a Master's degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from the Instituto Rio Branco Diplomatic Academy from 1984 to 1986. Prior to that, they obtained a Bachelor's degree in Law from the Universidade Federal de Santa Maria between 1978 and 1981. In 2003, they also completed a COPPE - Pos Graduacao program in Oil and Gas at the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro.

• GCC Secretariat
  H.E. Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General, GCC Secretariat

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  Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi

  Secretary General, GCC Secretariat

  Practical experiences

  1. August 2022 - 2023
     Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to the United States of America.
  2. February 2017 - 2022
     Head of the Mission of the State of Kuwait to the European Union.
  3. December 2016 - 2022
     Head of the State of Kuwait’s mission to NATO.
  4. November 2016 - 2022
     Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to the Kingdom of Belgium.
  5. November 2013 - 2016
     Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to the Republic of Korea.
  6. 2012 - 2013
     Deputy Director of the Undersecretary’s Office Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
  7. October 2011
     Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of the State of Kuwait to the United States of America
  8. May 2007
     Promotion to the rank of counselor during service at the Embassy of the State of Kuwait to the United States of America.
  9. June 2001
     Appointed to the Embassy of the State of Kuwait to the United States of America.
  10. 1997 - 2001
      Appointed to the Embassy of the State of Kuwait to Austria and the Permanent Mission of the State of Kuwait to the United Nations in Vienna.
  11. 1993 - 1997
      Appointed to the Embassy of the State of Kuwait to Japan.
  12. 1992
      He joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the rank of diplomatic attaché in the office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait.

  Relevant experiences

  1. 2022 February
     1. Member of the State of Kuwait delegation at the meetings of the twenty-sixth session of the Joint Ministerial Council between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the European Union, which was held in Brussels.
  2. 2021 June
     1. Head of the Kuwaiti delegation to the third meeting of senior officials on the humanitarian situation in Yemen, organized by the European Union.
  3. 2020 February
     1. Head of the Kuwaiti delegation at the International Donors’ Conference on Albania, organized by the European Union.
     2. Head of the Kuwaiti delegation at the meeting of senior officials on the humanitarian situation in Yemen, organized by the European Union.
  4. 2019
     1.  November
        Head of the State of Kuwait delegation at the second meeting of the annual review of the work of the NATO Regional Center for the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI) countries, organized by NATO.
     2. October
        Head of the State of Kuwait delegation at the International Solidarity Conference on Venezuelan Refugees and the Migrant Crisis, organized by the European Union.
     3. April
        Head of the Kuwaiti delegation at the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC) meeting - at the level of senior officials organized by the European Union.
  5. 2018
     1.  July
        Head of the Kuwaiti delegation to the Somali Partnership Forum (ministerial meeting) organized by the European Union.
     2.  May
        Head of the Kuwaiti delegation to the International Conference for Victims of Race and Religious Violence, organized by the European Union.
     3. February
        Head of the State of Kuwait delegation at the Kuwait Economic Forum (Kuwait Vision 2035) – Brussels.
     4.  January
        1. Head of the Kuwaiti delegation to the emergency meeting of the Special Liaison Committee organized by the European Union.
        2. Head of the State of Kuwait delegation in the Policy Advisory Group between the members of the Istanbul Initiative (ICI) and NATO Allied countries organized by NATO - Kuwait.
  6. 2016
     1.  November
        Head of the State of Kuwait delegation in the Policy Advisory Group between the members of the Istanbul Initiative (ICI) and NATO Allied countries organized by NATO - Doha.
     2.  October
        Head of the Kuwaiti delegation to the Brussels Conference on Afghanistan, organized by the European Union.
     3.  April
        Head of the Kuwaiti delegation at the Water Forum organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea.
  7. 2015
     1.  December
        Head of the State of Kuwait delegation to the 14th joint conference of the Republic of Korea and the United Nations on disarmament and non-proliferation issues.
     2. November
        Head of the State of Kuwait delegation at the Kuwaiti-Korean Economic Forum at the World Trade Center in Seoul.
     3. October
        Participation in the 12th Cooperation Forum between Korea and the Middle East entitled “Partnership for Peace, Prosperity and the People” Organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea.
  8. 2014
     1. December
        Head of the State of Kuwait delegation to the 13th joint conference of the Republic of Korea and the United Nations on disarmament and non-proliferation issues.
     2. October
        1. Head of the State of Kuwait delegation to the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference, hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea.
        2. Head of the Kuwaiti delegation to the high-level meeting of the United Nations Conference on Biodiversity organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea.
        3. Speaker at the 2014 Cooperation Conference on the Defense Industry between the Republic of Korea and the Gulf Cooperation Council.
  9. 2013
     1. December
        Head of the Kuwaiti delegation at the working group meeting on Syria organized by the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
     2. November
        Participation in the 12th joint conference of the Republic of Korea and the United Nations on disarmament and non-proliferation issues.
  10. 2003 - 2008
      Member of the State of Kuwait team for negotiations on the trade and investment agreement with the United States of America.
  11. 1997 - 2000
      Member of the State of Kuwait delegation to the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
  12. 1997 - 1999
      Member of the State of Kuwait delegation to the United Nations Industrial Development Organization.
  13. 1992
      Member of the State of Kuwait delegation to the Non-Aligned Movement Summit.

  Honor

  1. Awarded the 2014 Excellence Award from the Asian Society Korea Center in 2015.
  2. He was awarded the Best Ambassador Award from the Korean Parliament in 2014.

  Qualifications

  1. Diploma in Diplomatic Studies from Oxford University - England.
  2. Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from the University of Utah - USA.

• OPEC
  H.E. Haitham Al Ghais, Secretary General, OPEC

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  Haitham Al Ghais

  Secretary General, OPEC

  HE Haitham Al Ghais of Kuwait assumed office as Secretary General of OPEC on 1 August 2022. With more than 30 years of experience in global oil and gas markets, HE Al Ghais has held key senior management positions for Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) in his home country, as well as in Beijing and London.

  Before joining KPC in 1993, HE Al Ghais was Diplomatic Attaché in the Kuwait Ministry of Foreign Affairs for two years, working closely with the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. For KPC, HE Al Ghais held multiple managerial functions, including Crude Oil Marketing and petroleum products in the International Marketing Sector; Head of KPC’s Regional Office in Beijing; Manager of KPC’s European Regional Office in London; and Market Research Manager in Kuwait. In 2021, HE Al Ghais was appointed as KPC’s Deputy Managing Director for International Marketing, responsible for overseeing the development of the global market outlook for KPC’s international marketing plans and participating in the drawing up of KPC’s strategic long-term plans. HE Al Ghais has represented Kuwait in multiple governing bodies of renowned international institutions, including the Board of Governors of the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies (2008-2014), and the Board of Governors and subcommittees of OPEC (2016-2021).

  HE Al Ghais played a leading role in the historic Declaration of Cooperation between OPEC and non-OPEC oil-producing countries. In 2017, he was appointed as the first Chairman of the Joint Technical Committee that helped facilitate the development of the methodology for monitoring the conformity of production adjustments. He was also part of the Kuwait team that participated in meetings of the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee. Between 2018 and 2019, HE Al Ghais was the leader of Kuwait’s team involved in finalizing and signing the Charter of Cooperation between OPEC and non-OPEC producing countries. HE Al Ghais is a proud father of three sons.

Draft Agenda

Inauguration
Energy Security and Shared Goals in A New Era (Open to all delegations, guests, press and media)

• Welcome and Scene-Setting Remarks HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Energy of Saudi Arabia
• HE Eng Jassim Alshirawi, Secretary General, IEF

Plenary Session 1
Market Stability– Change and Continuity: Market Fundamentals, Data and Digitalization, and the New Dynamics of Demand and Supply (Closed session)

Plenary Session 2
Investment and Trade in Sustainable Technology Solutions: Making Energy Sustainable, Accessible, and Affordable (Closed session)

Concluding Plenary Session
IEF Producer Consumer Dialogue and Market Transparency: Critical Infrastructure for Sharing Energy Prosperity (Closed session)

Concluding Remarks
Concluding remarks by the IEF17 Host (Open to all delegations, guests, press and media)

• HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Energy of Saudi Arabia
• HE Eng Jassim Alshirawi, Secretary General, IEF

Release of IEF17 Concluding Statement by the IEF17 host-country

Press Conference and Bilateral Meetings

Heads of IEF Trilateral & Jodi Partner Organizations Meeting

• Review of IEF Trilateral Work Program and Joint Organizations Data Initiative (closed session)
• Welcoming new JODI members and launch of JODI Sustainability (Open to press and media)