One of the most anticipated annual energy convenings will bring together global leaders in an innovative virtual format to set the energy agenda for a world reshaped by COVID

WASHINGTON, DC – January 13, 2021 – The fifth annual Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum in Abu Dhabi will convene in an innovative and interactive virtual format January 19-22, 2021. 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 four-day convening will be hosted in a manner that allows participation and contribution from participants around the world, with programing 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 2021 Atlantic Council Global Energy 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 Center 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 conference will also explore the energy priories for the Biden Administration, as well as the role of the Middle East in the energy transition and how major economies are tackling climate change.

“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.”

The Atlantic Council has been leader in hosting virtual events since March 2020—with over 400 public events earning 1.8 million views—and the Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum will take advantage of all the benefits of our new virtual world.

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 January 22, will identify common sense clean energy solutions that address the triple crises of COVID-19, job loss, and climate change in the new Congress.

The Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum will once again be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces. The Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum is convened in partnership with the Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), and Mubadala Investment Company, with RBC Capital Markets and Siemens Energy as Platinum Co-Chair and CNBC as International Media Partner.

“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 H.E. Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy & Infrastructure, United Arab Emirates. “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”.

“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,” said Musabbeh Al Kaabi, Chief Executive Officer, UAE Investments, Mubadala Investment Company. “The Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum and ADSW are key platforms enabling stakeholders, from investors to operators to policy makers to customers, to work together and find innovative solutions to overcome global challenges.”

To register for the 2021 Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum and to view the agenda and participating speakers, please visit https://acenergyforum.org/

The 2021 Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum will be on the record and open to media. Media wishing to participate should register at https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/event/global-energy-forum-2021-press-registration/. Please contact press@atlanticcouncil.org for any media inquiries.