17th International Energy Forum ministerial meeting begins in Riyadh with Kuwaiti participation
Riyadh, October 11 (KUNA) -- The 17th Ministerial Meeting of the International Energy Forum (IEF17) kicked off today in Riyadh, with participation from Kuwaiti Minister of Oil Tariq Al-Rumai and Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) CEO Sheikh Nawaf Al-Saud Al-Sabah.
In his opening address at the meeting hosted by Saudi Arabia under the theme “Energy Security and Common Goals in a New Era,” Saudi Minister of Energy and Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman affirmed the Kingdom’s capacity to ensure the reliability of energy supplies, continue investing, and prepare to face various circumstances and challenges. He noted that Riyadh has become a global capital for energy security and is committed to fulfilling its obligations and enhancing the reliability of energy supplies under all conditions.
He pointed out that the East-West Pipeline underscores this reality, embodying the Kingdom’s approach to strengthening the resilience of its energy system and providing an alternative route for transporting supplies to global markets via Yanbu on the Red Sea. He stressed that achieving energy security is a shared responsibility that no single country can shoulder alone, requiring international cooperation and coordination as a fundamental pillar for economic stability, sustainable growth, and enhanced competitiveness.
He highlighted that the sharp fluctuations experienced by energy markets in 2008 underscore the importance of dialogue, investment, and preparedness for market changes, ensuring demand is met. He added that enhancing energy infrastructure resilience requires investment and advance preparation. The Minister confirmed that the Kingdom adopts a comprehensive approach to energy security, encompassing oil, gas, renewable energy, nuclear energy, and geothermal energy, alongside investments in refining, transportation, pipelines, and infrastructure capacities.
Also participating in the meeting are Italian Minister of Environment and Energy Security Gilberto Pichetto Fratin and Nigerian Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Haikpnin Lokpobiri, alongside IEF Secretary-General Jassem Al-Shirawi.
Held as part of the Riyadh Energy Week, the meeting brought together a number of energy ministers, sector leaders, and heads of international organizations to discuss various topics related to energy security, market stability, investment, and enhancing dialogue and cooperation between producing and consuming countries amid changes in global energy markets.
Ministers and energy sector representatives expressed their solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its people following attacks targeting civilian infrastructure, affirming that holding the meeting in Riyadh demonstrates the Kingdom’s resilience, spirit of unity, and shared commitment.
The IEF Secretary-General, ministers, and participating delegations welcomed the United States’ announcement of its return to the forum, reaffirming the importance of its role as a neutral platform for dialogue between energy-producing and consuming countries, and supporting data-driven research and reports.
The meeting’s program included dialogue sessions addressing energy security, supply chain resilience, supply and demand dynamics, investment and trade in sustainable energy solutions, ways to provide clean and reliable energy at affordable costs, and the role of dialogue and data transparency in supporting market stability.
Participants emphasized the importance of enhancing infrastructure resilience, diversifying supply chains, and investing in production, refining, liquefied natural gas (LNG), electricity grids, and storage, alongside expanding new technologies and critical mineral supply chains.
The Riyadh Energy Week also saw the convening of the seventh meeting of the heads of organizations participating in the Joint Organisations Data Initiative (JODI), whose activities are coordinated by the International Energy Forum. Participants discussed the initiative’s roadmap for the period 2026–2030, aiming to strengthen countries’ capacities to provide data and supply more comprehensive and up-to-date information on oil, gas, stocks, and refined products. The participating ministers welcomed the continuation of cooperation under the joint tripartite work program between the International Energy Agency, the International Energy Forum, and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). It is worth noting that the International Energy Forum has its secretariat based in Riyadh, and its ministerial meeting constitutes the largest global gathering of energy ministers and a key platform for dialogue between producing and consuming countries, thereby contributing to the enhancement of global energy security. (End) A.S. / K.N.S.
