Italy Strengthens Cooperation with the International Energy Forum (IEF) through Assignment of National Expert
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, 27 November - The International Energy Forum (IEF) is pleased to announce that Dr. Alberto Jr. Pela, Senior Advisor at the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security of Italy has recently been assigned as national expert to the International Energy Forum for the Italian Ministry to strengthen the collaboration of Italy with the Forum.
"We very much welcome Dr Pela to the IEF team and greatly value the support of Italy in launching this innovative and action-oriented initiative to strengthen the global energy security dialogue on the IEF platform. Trust-based dialogue that brings together all energy sources, technologies, and perspectives enhances policy coherence and market stability, supports energy availability and security, and enables reliable and affordable access for all. By fostering a more inclusive and informed exchange, the IEF helps underpin the collective resolve necessary to advance the shared goal of resilient and sustainable global energy systems. The leadership of the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security of Italy sets a new and inspiring standard in IEF's engagement with European countries" IEF Secretary General Jassim Alshirawi said.
"The strategic and innovative collaboration with the IEF reflects Italy's concrete commitment to consolidating its role as a strategic bridge in the broader Mediterranean, contributing to the achievement of our sectoral objectives for a net-zero emissions future, in line with the European framework and ensuring an increasingly secure, accessible, and sustainable national energy system based on the principle of technological neutrality," said Italian Minister of the Environment and Energy Security Gilberto Pichetto Fratin. "For Italy, the IEF has long been a key international platform, destined to play an increasingly decisive role in promoting an open, constructive, and inclusive global energy dialogue between energy-producing and energy-consuming countries", added Italian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Carlo Baldocci.
Background - Dr. Alberto Jr. Pela
At the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security of Italy Dr Pela oversees several international energy relations activites focused on the energy sector and represents the country in G7, G20, COP and other multilateral fora. He has also served as expert advisor to the Minister and senior political leadership, supporting international initiatives, multilateral negotiations and bilateral engagements, including at COP28 and Italy's G7 2024 and G20 2021 Presidencies on energy-related issues.
Dr Pela has extensive experience in coordinating high-level negotiations and strategic activities, as a panelist in high-level technical and institutional conferences, and is responsible for defining and implementing key bilateral agreements in the energy sector. He also serves as Italy's delegate to key expert groups such as IEF, IEA SLT and the Clean Energy Ministerial.
A technical expert on energy security and sustainability sectors, he has led multilateral capacity building programmes such as in Albania, Georgia and Malawi. Previously, he spent around 15 years at the Italian Energy Agency (GSE), working on international relations, regulatory affairs and advising the CEO, including as Head of the Italy-India Cleantech Observatory in New Delhi (2015) promoting technology cooperation and clean-energy partnerships.
