WEC Convenes In Rotterdam, Saudi Arabia To Host 27th Edition

More than 7,000 international energy stakeholders will gather in Rotterdam on Monday to attend the 26th edition of the World Energy Congress, the world’s most prestigious, inclusive and influential energy event. The Congress is the most visionary and truly inclusive world energy leadership convening. It will bring together 18,000 attendees, including 7,000 delegates, 70 ministers, C-suite executives, NGOs, experts and academia, entrepreneurs and young energy leaders to reflect on the role of connected energy societies in driving forward global energy transitions.

Co-hosted by the World Energy Council and the Netherlands Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy and taking place from 22-25 April 2024, this edition celebrates 100 years since the Council's formation.

Angela Wilkinson, Secretary General of World Energy Council, said that the World Energy Congress is the most significant convention of visionary and practical leadership in energy, gathering the diverse needs and interests of energy ecosystems from all corners of the world.

She added that joined by new platinum sponsors, Aramco and Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy, the congress is confident it will be an important moment in resetting strategic conversations on energy transitions and redesigning energy for the benefit of people and the planet.

Wilkinson also said that both Aramco and Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy will bring important perspectives to the dynamic conversations and collaborative charge forward from one of the world’s most important energy regions currently engaged in its own transformational energy journey.

For his part, Aramco Chief Executive Amin Nasser said there is no doubt that the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is a critical priority for the world.

“But along with reducing emissions, equally important are energy security, energy affordability and economic development. Aramco is very much committed to supporting all of these goals,” he added.

Last November, the World Energy Council announced Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as the official host of the 27th World Energy Congress to be held 26-29 October 2026.

The award follows a highly competitive bidding process open to all the Council’s 70+ national member committees representing more than 3,000 organizations across the entire energy ecosystem.

The World Energy Congress has helped drive energy transitions forward for more than a century by bringing together stakeholders representing energy interests from all corners of the world.

“Saudi Arabia is pleased to have been awarded the opportunity to host the 2026 World Energy Congress at this important moment in global energy,” said Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud, Minister of Energy and Chairman of the Saudi Arabia member committee.

In Rotterdam, the program of the 26th World Energy Congress will revolve around five core topics central to progressing a clean and inclusive energy transition: navigating new energy maps, refueling the future, humanizing energy by engaging people and communities in making global energy transitions happen, pathfinding with the world energy trilemma by connecting energy security, affordability and sustainability and closing the gaps by enabling faster, fairer and more far-reaching energy transitions.

Also, leading the program will be a truly diverse group of experts from across industry, government and civil society, with over 260 confirmed speakers, 200+ being C-suite.

Wilkinson also stated that it is neither easy nor enough to translate net zero roadmaps into reality against a backdrop of new energy insecurity concerns and the increasing damages that climate change is inflicting on the earth’s natural life support system.

She added that it is important to develop a shared and deeper understanding of the role of increasingly diverse energy systems in enabling a safe operating space for humanity. It is urgent to involve more people and communities and identify leading practices in inclusive implementation.

According to the World Energy Council’s Secretary General, “The best way forward is to support diverse regions in leading with and learning from each other and appreciate the diversity of place-based, clean and just energy transitions.”_ Asharq Al Awsat