The Geopolitics of the Energy Transition
This schedule is tentative and subject to change.
Day 1 – Sunday, March 27
All times are local to the United Arab Emirates.
| Time | Session |
| 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (GST)/ 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m. (ET) | OPENING RECEPTION AT THE BELLAVISTA GROSVENOR HOUSE, DUBAI |
Day 2 – Monday, March 28
All times are local to the United Arab Emirates.
| Time | Session |
| 9:00 a.m. (GST)/ 1:00 a.m. (ET) | OFFICIAL OPENING Remarks by: Frederick Kempe, President and CEO, Atlantic Council H.E. Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Special Envoy for Climate Change, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, United Arab Emirates; Managing Director and Group CEO, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company H.E. Eng. Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, United Arab Emirates FIRESIDE CHAT: H.E. Eng. Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, United Arab Emirates Moderated by: Frederick Kempe, President and CEO, Atlantic Council Location: RTA, Dubai Exhibition Centre North Hall, Expo 2020, Dubai |
| 9:40 a.m. (GST)/ 1:40 a.m. (ET) | MEETING THE 2022 CHALLENGE: WILL ENERGY SECURITY DERAIL THE ENERGY TRANSITION? (PART I) Energy security has become an overriding concern of 2022. Geopolitics has driven oil prices to 10-year highs and gas prices in Europe to record levels. Major Western economies – which last year focused almost exclusively on the energy transition – are pushing for increased domestic oil and gas production and are turning back to coal. Have energy security concerns derailed climate action? Is it possible to simultaneously focus on meeting short term demand while not losing sight of crucial net-zero goals? Are there solutions that can help solve both challenges? Fahad Alajlan, President, King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center Claudio Descalzi, CEO, Eni Tim Holt, Member of the Executive Board and Labor Director, Siemens Energy AG Majid Jafar, CEO, Crescent Petroleum Anna Shpitsberg, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Transformation, US Department of State Moderator: Hadley Gamble, Reporter and Anchor, CNBC Location: RTA, Dubai Exhibition Centre North Hall, Expo 2020, Dubai |
| 10:40a.m. (GST)/ 2:40 a.m. (ET) | THE EUROPEAN ENERGY CRISIS: SHORT TERM RESPONSE AND LONG TERM SECURITY Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has added the harsh realities of energy security to the forefront of Europe’s policy agenda. European leaders have made clear that diversification and energy transition are key to neutralizing many of these threats over time; however, balancing short-term responses to the crisis of the moment while insulating from future energy security risks will frame the next stage in the energy crisis for policymakers. How should Europe respond to the crisis at-hand while positioning themselves for long-term energy security, while still pursuing their ambitious goals for climate action? H.E. Belinda Balluku, Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Albania Anatol Feygin, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Cheniere Energy, Inc. Amb. Wolfgang Ischinger, President, Foundation Council of the Munich Security Conference Foundation Frederick Kempe, President and CEO, Atlantic Council Alexander Nikolov, Minister of Energy, Republic of Bulgaria Maxim Timchenko, Chief Executive Officer, DTEK Moderator: Hadley Gamble, Anchor, CNBC Location: RTA, Dubai Exhibition Centre North Hall, Expo 2020, Dubai |
| 11:40 a.m. (GST)/ 3:40 a.m. (ET) | MEETING THE 2022 CHALLENGE: WILL ENERGY SECURITY DERAIL THE ENERGY TRANSITION? (Part II) Fireside Chat: Amos J Hochstein, Presidential Coordinator for Energy Security and Build Back Better World, US Moderator: Helima Croft, Managing Director and Head of Global Commodity Strategy, RBC Capital Markets Location: RTA, Dubai Exhibition Centre North Hall, Expo 2020, Dubai |
| 12:00 a.m. (GST)/ 4:00 a.m. (ET) | COFFEE BREAK |
| 12:15 p.m. (GST)/ 4:15 a.m. (ET) | OIL AND GAS IN A NET-ZERO WORLD Even as the world pursues decarbonization and emissions reduction technologies in the pursuit of a net-zero energy system, oil and gas will play a continued role in a low-carbon, low-emission future. The energy crisis—made even more acute by the war in Ukraine—has highlighted how critical hydrocarbons remain to the global energy system and the importance of maintaining sufficient supply even while transitioning to clean energy sources. But mounting pressure from policymakers and investors has limited new capital investment into upstream oil and gas development and will require the industry to adapt to a net-zero world. Still, in the push for a net-zero energy system, the industry’s unparalleled resources and industrial experience will be critical to successfully scaling new clean energies and fuels. How can the industry evolve to ensure that future oil production and consumption is compatible with net-zero emissions targets, and how can policymakers and financial markets engage the industry in reaching these goals? What strategies, investment mechanisms, policies, and incentives are necessary across the value chain to ensure supply security in parallel with decarbonization? How can the industry leverage its strengths during the energy transition? H.E. Sharif Alolama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs, Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, United Arab Emirates H.E. Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, Secretary General, OPEC Secretary Dan Brouillette, President, Sempra Infrastructure; Former Secretary of Energy, United States of America Helima Croft, Managing Director and Head of Global Commodity Strategy, RBC Capital Markets Hunter Hunt, Chief Executive Officer and President, Hunt Consolidated Energy, LLC Mele Kyari, Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (virtual) Moderator: Eithne Treanor, Managing Director, E. Treanor Media Location: RTA, Dubai Exhibition Centre North Hall, Expo 2020, Dubai |
| 1:10 p.m. (GST)/ 5:10 a.m. (ET) | BUFFET LUNCH |
| 2:30 p.m. (GST)/ 6:30 a.m. (ET) | GREEN BUILDERS OF TOMORROW COMPETITION WINNERS ANNOUNCEMENT Many of the technologies that are crucial to reaching mid-century climate goals are not yet available at commercial scale. In this special edition of EnergySource Innovation Stream, in partnership with the UK Department of International Trade, the winners of the UK’s Green Builders of Tomorrow competition will showcase their innovative approaches to achieving net-zero. Welcoming remarks: Chris Hulatt, Co-founder, Octopus Group Gus Wiseman, Deputy Director, Investment Opportunities and Propositions, United Kingdom Special Presentations: Julie Chen, Chief Executive Officer, The Cheeky Panda Ian Mackenzie, Chief Executive Officer, Trojan Energy Ernst Van Orsouw, Chief Executive Officer, Roslin Technologies Jo Parker-Swift, Chief Executive Officer, Solivus Ben Turner, Chief Executive Officer, Origen Power Limited Moderator: Eithne Treanor, Managing Director, E. Treanor Media Location: RTA, Dubai Exhibition Centre North Hall, Expo 2020, Dubai |
| 3:00 p.m. (GST)/ 7:00 a.m. (ET) | ENERGY DEVELOPMENT, EXPORTS, AND THE FUTURE OF THE KURDISTAN REGION OF IRAQ Nearly fifteen years since the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) passed legislation setting the foundations for an independent oil and gas sector in the region, Iraqi Kurdistan has achieved great strides, producing half a million barrels of oil and half a billion cubic feet of gas daily. However, there is tension with the federal government in Baghdad over constitutional rights and power-sharing. As Erbil and Baghdad work toward a solution, a vibrant energy sector continues to make strides in bringing these significant resources to market, offering powerful lessons for the rest of the country and the wider region. Where does the Kurdistan Region of Iraq’s energy sector go from here? Keynote: H.E. Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister, Kurdistan Regional Government Adel Chaouch, President, CEO and Director, ShaMaran Petroleum Corp. Jon Harris, CEO, Gulf Keystone Petroleum Bill Higgs, CEO, Genel Energy Majid Jafar, CEO, Crescent Petroleum Ross Perot Jr., Chairman, The Perot Group Moderator: Eithne Treanor, Managing Director, E. Treanor Media Location: RTA, Dubai Exhibition Centre North Hall, Expo 2020, Dubai |
| 3:50 p.m. (GST)/ 7:50 a.m. (ET) | COFFEE BREAK |
| 4:15 p.m. (GST)/ 8:15 a.m. (ET) | FIRESIDE CHAT: INVESTING IN NET ZERO: THE UAE APPROACH The UAE has emerged as a global leader in the pursuit of net-zero. It is home to the Middle East’s first commercial CCUS facility, Al Reyadah, and its oil already possesses lower carbon content than barrels from other exporters. Meanwhile, the country is banking on generation from a variety of sources—including renewable energy, gas, and nuclear power—along with lower downstream carbon emissions for the petrochemicals industry and blue hydrogen exports. UAE policymakers now face the task of aligning the whole of domestic industry with the net-zero objective. What is the strategy behind the UAE’s net-zero ambitions, and what technologies need the most attention and investment? What role do sovereign wealth funds play in economy-wide decarbonization beyond the energy sector? How can the UAE help other countries with similar ambitions succeed in their own pathways to net-zero? Musabbeh Al Kaabi, CEO, UAE Investments, Mubadala Investment Company |
| 4:35 p.m. (GST)/ 8:35 a.m. (ET) | HYDROGEN: ENERGY SECURITY AND ENERGY TRANSITION INTEGRATOR? As the world races to both decarbonize and enhance energy security in the face of a supply crisis, growing investment in clean hydrogen production may play a key role in both efforts. Clean hydrogen has the potential to integrate the energy system and drive decarbonization by serving as a bridge between electrification and clean fuels for deployment in heavy-duty transportation, heavy industry, and beyond. And the ability to produce hydrogen anywhere, using a range of resources, makes it an attractive fuel alternative for strengthening energy security by providing distributed sources of supply. Challenges remain, as unlocking critical opportunities for clean hydrogen deployment across hard-to-abate sectors will require a massive build out of both fuel production capacity and infrastructure. How can policymakers and companies work together to scale clean hydrogen production quickly and efficiently? And how can hydrogen help to connect the equally critical efforts toward energy security and decarbonization in the short term? Marco Alverà, Chief Executive Officer, Snam Meg Gentle, Executive Director, Highly Innovative Fuels USA Tim Holt, Member of the Executive Board, Siemens Energy AG; Member of the Executive Board and Labor Director, Siemens Energy Management GmbH David Livingston, Senior Advisor to US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry, US Department of State Roger Martella, Chief Sustainability Officer, GE (virtual) Gareth Wynn, Chief Communications Officer, TAQA Moderator: Randolph Bell, Senior Director, Global Energy Center, Atlantic Council Location: Session C Room, Dubai Exhibition Centre North Hall, Expo 2020, Dubai |
| 5:25 p.m. (GST)/ 9:25 a.m. (ET) | AFTER THE CRISIS: REBUILDING FOR ENERGY SECURITY AND CLIMATE ACTION The energy supply crisis and the impact of the war in Ukraine have highlighted the urgency of building secure and resilient energy supply chains and infrastructure as the energy transition advances. When we eventually emerge from the crisis, it will be essential to reconsider the policy and investment strategies that are driving the transition to clean energy, both to tie energy security priorities into decarbonization priorities and to ensure stable, net-zero supplies through each step of that transition. How can governments reorient their policies to accelerate the energy transition and reduce reliance on fuel imports while also protecting against supply vulnerability in the short and medium terms and against future security risks? How can and should markets value security enhancements alongside decarbonization assets? Neil Chatterjee, Former Chairman, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; Senior Advisor, Hogan Lovells The Rt Hon. Charles Hendry, CBE PC Professor, University of Edinburgh; Former Minister of State for Energy, United Kingdom Mahmoud Mohieldin, High-Level Champion for Climate Action, COP27 Regina Mayor, Global Sector Head of Energy, KPMG Joseph McMonigle, Secretary General, International Energy Forum (IEF) Moderator: Randolph Bell, Director, Global Energy Center, Atlantic Council Location: Session C Room, Dubai Exhibition Centre North Hall, Expo 2020, Dubai |
| 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (GST)/ 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 a.m. (ET) | RECEPTION AT US EXPO PAVILION |
| 9:30 p.m. (GST)/ 1:30 p.m. (ET) | NIGHT OWL: WHAT DOES THE US WANT FROM OPEC? Former President Trump made it clear he wanted OPEC+ to keep prices within a band that kept US producers in the money but ensured consumers were not punished at the pump. The Biden administration has been far less vocal or clear about what they want from OPEC, on the one hand creating the net-zero producers forum that includes OPEC member Saudi Arabia and on the other hand taking a far more ambivalent approach to oil production globally. However, in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the administration has purportedly reengaged Venezuela on oil export, increased efforts to bring Iran to the negotiating table, and called unsuccessfully on Saudi Arabia and the UAE to raise production levels, all while exhorting domestic producers to ramp up shale drilling. Amidst war in Europe, $100-plus oil, embargoes, and a stop-start economic recovery, panelists will discuss what shape the US-OPEC+ relationship will take in the near term and what the US really wants out of the producers group. Helima Croft, Managing Director and Head of Global Commodity Strategy, RBC Capital Markets Frank R. Fannon, Managing Director, Fannon Global Advisors Moderator: Randolph Bell, Senior Director, Global Energy Center, Atlantic Council Location: Ballroom 2, Grosvenor House Hotel, Dubai |
Day 3 – Tuesday, March 29
All times are local to the United Arab Emirates.
| Time | Session |
| 9:00 a.m. (GST)/ 1:00 a.m. (ET) | BREAKOUT SESSIONS ENERGY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE EAST MED Fossil fuel development in the Eastern Mediterranean has become highly charged. Member states of the East Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF) have established joint ventures for exploration and drilling, pipeline building, and LNG export across the region, creating an international web of proposed infrastructure to tap its abundant reserves. But Turkey has continued with its own development plans, routinely contesting maritime claims and refusing to recognize Cyprus, which is at the center of the physical infrastructure network and the political jockeying between rival countries. Can EMGF members afford to continue directly confronting Turkey, a NATO ally to several of them, in the Eastern Mediterranean? Are there opportunities for de-escalation, or even for cooperation? What role can the region play in a global push to reduce emissions and improve energy security? Charles Ellinas, Chief Executive Officer, EC Natural Hydrocarbons Kate Dourian, Senior Editor, Iraq Oil Report Defne Sadiklar-Arslan, Senior Director, Turkey & Turkey Programs, Atlantic Council Moderator: Bina Hussein, Nonresident Fellow, Global Energy Center, Atlantic Council Location: Cluster 1, Dubai Exhibition Center North Hall, Expo 2020, Dubai ENERGY EFFICIENCY: EMISSION REDUCTIONS AND COST SAVINGS ACROSS THE VALUE CHAIN The demand side cannot be overlooked in emissions reductions and energy resilience discussions. Specifically, energy efficiency can lower stress on energy producers, ease burdens on transmission networks, reduce import dependencies, and drive down energy bills, among other benefits. The successful rollout of energy-efficient technologies would alleviate the pressure on all parts of the value chain while promoting self-sufficiency and moving decarbonization efforts forward. As fresh questions about supply security threaten to derail an energy transition that is already racing against the clock, what role can energy efficiency measures play? Keynote: Ramiz Alaileh, Director of Sustainability and Energy Efficiency, Abu Dhabi Department of Energy Ramiz Alaileh, Director of Sustainability and Energy Efficiency, Abu Dhabi Department of Energy Alberto Echeverri, Head of Digital Portfolio and Innovation, Siemens Energy Mike Train, Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer, Emerson Moderator: Olga Khakova, Deputy Director for Flagship Convenings and Global Engagement, Global Energy Center, Atlantic Council Location: Cluster 2, Dubai Exhibition Center North Hall, Expo 2020, Dubai THE IEA’S NET-ZERO SCENARIO: INTENTIONS, METHODOLOGY, AND NEXT STEPS The IEA’s Net Zero by 2050 (NZE) Scenario calls for a massive escalation of commitment to emissions reductions, which will require much higher levels of global ambition and financial support. Yet the scenario remains highly controversial as one of several proposed “pathways” to a global net-zero world. In this off-the-record conversation, one of the NZE’s principal modelers offers his thoughts on the initial task, the scenario’s reception, and its influence on the IEA’s net-zero work going forward. Christophe McGlade, Head of Energy Supply Unit, International Energy Agency Moderator: David Yellen, Associate Director, Global Energy Center, Atlantic Council Location: Cluster 3, Dubai Exhibition Center North Hall, Expo 2020, Dubai |
| 10:00 a.m. (GST)/ 2:00 a.m. (ET) | BREAKOUT SESSIONS THE ROLE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY IN A JUST TRANSITION While decarbonization must be global, it must also be local. After all, energy infrastructure often supports the livelihoods of entire communities. Stripping traditional fossil fuel communities of their primary source of income without providing a stable, financially sufficient alternative would be unjust. What role can nuclear energy—a sector characterized by at least forty-year-long licenses, labor-intensive construction and operation, and next-generation reactors that could potentially be sited in retired coal plants—play in the effort to smoothly transition communities on the frontlines of the hydrocarbon drawdown to a clean, gainful future? George Agafitei, State Counselor, Romanian Government Chris Levesque, President and Chief Executive Officer, TerraPower Zbigniew Kubacki, Senior Policy Advisor,Department of Nuclear Energy in the Ministry of Climate and Environment, Republic of Poland (virtual) Amy Roma, Partner and Global Energy Practice Leader, Hogan Lovells Rumina Velshi, President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Moderator: Jennifer T. Gordon, Managing Editor and Director, Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative, Atlantic Council Location: Cluster 1, Dubai Exhibition Center North Hall, Expo 2020, Dubai NEXT STEPS FOR THE CIRCULAR CARBON ECONOMY As global leaders pursue ever-ambitious policies to reach the goals of the Paris Agreement, managing the remaining carbon emissions as a result of legacy and future hydrocarbon production will be critical. Indeed, tools such as carbon capture and storage, hydrogen, and nature-based solutions, and others will all need to be organized together to form a ‘circular carbon economy’ of carbon management. What are the next steps and enabling policies necessary to support key components of a net-zero world, and how can they contribute together to a circular carbon economy? Thamir Alshehri, Senior Research Associate, King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center Lee Beck, International Director for Carbon Capture, Clean Air Task Force; Nonresident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council Global Energy Center Sama Bilbao y León, Director General, World Nuclear Association (virtual) Moderator: Reed Blakemore, Deputy Director, Global Energy Center, Atlantic Council Location: Cluster 2, Dubai Exhibition Center North Hall, Expo 2020, Dubai THE STRATEGIC ROLE OF KURDISTAN ENERGY FOR THE MIDDLE EAST AND EUROPE Kurdistan’s massive volumes of hydrocarbon reserves are increasingly valuable to an energy-hungry Middle East and Europe. As importers look to establish supply relationships with a more diverse set of exporters, the KRG’s energy resources may become central to medium-term energy security. Kurdish energy cooperation with Turkey already runs deep, and KRG leaders have begun to build stronger links with nations like Qatar. How important is Kurdistan’s energy sector to the energy security of the Middle East and Europe? What can Kurdistan’s partners do to help the KRG maintain its energy autonomy against intensifying encroachment from Baghdad? Khazal Auzer, Director General of Contracts & Economic Affairs, Ministry of Natural Resources, Kurdistan Regional Government Baroz Aziz, Senior Advisor to Minister, Acting Director General for Technical Affairs, Ministry of Natural Resources, Kurdistan Regional Government-Iraq Kate Dourian, Senior Editor, Iraq Oil Report Deyary Rakhtawan, Commercial Advisor, Ministry of Natural Resources, Kurdistan Regional Government-Iraq Moderator: Michael Knights, Deputy Director, Washington Institute Location: Cluster 3, Dubai Exhibition Center North Hall, Expo 2020, Dubai |
| PLENARY SESSIONS IN COORDINATION WITH WORLD GOVERNMENT SUMMIT | |
| 11:00 a.m. (GST)/ 3:00 a.m. (ET) | SEA LEVEL RISE AND SMALL ISLAND NATIONS The Hon. Gaston Browne, Prime Minister, Antigua and Barbuda The Hon. Philip J. Pierre, Prime Minister, Saint Lucia H.E Aiminth Shauna, Minister of Environment, Climate Change & Technology, Maldives Moderator: Eleni Giokos, Anchor and Correspondent, CNN Location: Session C Room, Dubai Exhibition Center North Hall, Expo 2020, Dubai |
| 11:20 a.m. (GST)/ 3:20 a.m. (ET) | SECURING THE ENERGY TRANSITION: RESILIENCE AND RELIABILITY IN THE FACE OF EVOLVING THREATS Electrification, digitization, and the introduction of distributed energy resources are all crucial elements of a net-zero energy system. This new system introduces elevated risks, including supply disruptions, intermittency, and cyber risk vectors. And as extreme weather threats proliferate and interstate conflict—including the war in Ukraine—threatens energy installations and supply chains, the importance of a flexible and resilient security apparatus will only rise. How will a decarbonized and digitized energy system respond to these growing security challenges? What is the responsibility of the government, private sector, and civil society in addressing them? Abdurrahman (Aba) Khalidi, Chief Technology Officer, GE Gas Power EMEA Kara Mangone, Managing Director, Global Head of Climate Strategy, Goldman Sachs André Pienaar, Founder and Chief Executive, C5 Capital Leo Simonovich, Vice President and Global Head, Industrial Cyber & Digital Security, Siemens Energy Moderator: Dan Murphy, Correspondent, CNBC Location: Session C Room, Dubai Exhibition Center North Hall, Expo 2020, Dubai |
| 12:10 p.m. (GST)/ 4:10 a.m. (ET) | WHERE DOES ESG GO FROM HERE? With unprecedented amounts of private capital projected to be deployed in order to fight climate change, ESG investing is taking center stage in financing the energy transition. How can ESG be best leveraged to ensure a smooth, equitable, and effective path to net-zero? Is there a role for ESG in supporting a broader realm of crucial net-zero technologies such as nuclear and methane abatement? And who should be accountable for how divested fossil fuel assets are managed under private ownership? And can ESG investments help alleviate the energy insecurity produced by volatile fossil fuel prices? Keynote: Alain Bejjani, Chief Executive Officer, Majid Al Futtaim Holding Neil Brown, Managing Director, KKR Global Institute an KKR Infrastructure Chris Hulatt, Co-founder, Octopus Group Kristen Siemen, Chief Sustainability Officer, General Motors Kristen Weldon, Managing Director and Global Head of Sustainable Investments, BlackRock Alternative Investors Eugene Willemsen, CEO Africa, Middle East and South Asia, PepsiCo Moderator: Mustafa Alrawi, Assistant Editor-in-Chief, The National |
| 1:00 p.m. (GST)/ 5:00 a.m. (ET) | BUFFET LUNCH |
| 2:30 p.m. (GST)/ 6:30 a.m. (ET) | BREAKOUT SESSIONS POST-CRISIS UKRAINE: NEW ENERGY FOR A NEW EUROPE Even before the Russian invasion, Ukraine had been reckoning with an energy system that shackled the country to Russia and depended heavily on hydrocarbons. But Putin’s aggression can be the impetus for a Ukrainian energy transformation, one that is not reliant on Russian transit fees and deeply connected with friendlier European energy markets. Initial steps, like Ukraine’s emergency synchronization with the ENTSO-E network and deals to build new nuclear reactors, show promise. What more needs to be done to make Ukraine an independent clean energy hub for Europe? How can European and global partners help? Amb. Paula Dobriansky, Senior Fellow, Harvard Kennedy School of Government The Rt Hon. Charles Hendry, CBE PC Professor, University of Edinburgh; Former Minister of State for Energy, United Kingdom H.E. Ana Palacio, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Spain; Former Senior Vice President and General Counsel, World Bank Group; Member, Atlantic Council’s Board of Directors Maxim Timchenko, Chief Executive Officer, DTEK Moderator: Olga Khakova, Deputy Director for Flagship Convenings and Global Engagement, Global Energy Center, Atlantic Council Location: Cluster 1, Dubai Exhibition Center North Hall, Expo 2020, Dubai DELIVERING ENERGY ACCESS IN AFRICA Today’s ambitious climate goals cannot be achieved without ensuring that the most vulnerable populations have access to clean, reliable, and affordable energy. Half of the population in Africa lacks access to reliable electricity, revealing the challenges in meeting international development and climate goals. However, the continent is well positioned to increase energy access by transitioning to clean energy resources like solar, wind, and geothermal energy. How can countries in Africa effectively deliver clean energy to hard-to-reach communities? How can these countries deliver energy access in a way that both advances the energy transition and supports the economy? Keynote: Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer, Masdar Basma Bentaher, Senior Director, Project Development, AMEA Power Raza Hasnani, Managing Director and Head of Infrastructure Investment, Africa50 Jennifer A. Josefson, Partner, Morgan Lewis Andrew Nganga Kamau, CBS, Principal Secretary, State Department of Petroleum, Ministry of Petroleum and Mining, Kenya Aziz Kassim, Vice President- Business Development- MENA, Excelerate Energy Mele Kyari, Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (virtual) Location: Cluster 2, Dubai Exhibition Center North Hall, Expo 2020, Dubai Moderator: Kelsey Forren, Deputy Director for Flagship Convenings and Global Engagement, Global Energy Center, Atlantic Council SECURING THE ENERGY TRANSITION: CYBERSECURITY TABLETOP EXERCISE The energy industry’s widespread adoption of digital technology to improve efficiency and reduce emissions has made it increasingly vulnerable to cyberthreats. The May 2020 cyberattack on the Colonial Pipeline was the most damaging and vivid illustration of the importance of defending critical energy infrastructure from bad cyber actors. What can we learn from the Colonial attack and the response of policymakers? To secure the energy transition, how can the private and public sectors work together to achieve a more complete understanding of cyber risks? How can they develop actionable solutions to respond to threats? Marty Edwards, Vice President of Operational Technology (OT) Security, Tenable Frank Fannon, Managing Director, Fannon Global Advisors Melanie A. Kenderdine, Principal and Executive Vice President, Energy Futures Initiative (EFI); Nonresident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council Kara Mangone, Managing Director, Global Head of Climate Strategy, Goldman Sachs Leo Simonovich, Vice President and Global Head, Industrial Cyber & Digital Security, Siemens Energy Moderator: Andrew Gumbiner, Founder, AJG Strategies Location: Cluster 3, Dubai Exhibition Center North Hall, Expo 2020, Dubai |
| 3:30 p.m. (GST)/ 7:30 a.m. (ET) | BREAKOUT SESSIONS CLIMATE AND ENERGY OPPORTUNITIES IN SOUTH AND SOUTHEAST ASIA As the world looks to accelerate the clean energy transition in the wake of COP26, nowhere is the challenge greater—or the opportunities richer—than in South and Southeast Asia, which will account for the vast majority of energy demand growth until 2050. Major economies in the region, from India to Vietnam and Indonesia, have seen major growth in renewable power and host some of the fastest growing clean energy markets in the world, but challenges remain in transitioning away from coal and decarbonizing major industries. How can governments across the region effectively spur clean energy growth and phase out coal while also accelerating economic development? And how can cooperation across regions help unlock opportunities for South and Southeast Asia to become leaders in the global clean energy industry? Robert Fee, Vice President of International Affairs and Commercial Development, Cheniere Energy Kavita Gandhi, Executive Director, Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore Binu Parthan, Head of Regions, International Renewable Energy Agency Desiree Tung, Deputy Director of External Relations, Energy Market Authority of Singapore Derek Wong, Senior Director, Government and Public Affairs, Excelerate Energy Moderator: Reed Blakemore, Deputy Director, Global Energy Center, Atlantic Council Location: Cluster 1, Dubai Exhibition Center North Hall, Expo 2020, Dubai CLIMATE, TRADE, AND CARBON BORDER ADJUSTMENT: CREATING A RACE TO THE TOP As policymakers seek to limit carbon leakage and reduce emissions from global trade, 2021 saw the launch of a number of new policies and partnerships. Carbon Border Adjustment (CBA) mechanisms—most notably the EU’s proposed plan for a CBA within its “Fit-For-55” framework, the “FAIR” Act proposed by Sen. Coons in the United States, or a proposed “carbon club” within the G7—represent potentially transformative changes to global trade in a carbon-conscious world. Sectoral partnerships, such as the greening of steel trade and manufacturing, are also gaining momentum and—like various CBA models—are in various stages of development. What are the pros and /cons of these various approaches, and what are the consequences of their implementation on global trade and geopolitics? Charles Hernick, Director of Policy and Advocacy, Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES) Forum Zoe Knight, Global Head, Climate Change Center of Excellence, Global Research, HSBC David Livingston, Senior Advisor to US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry, US Department of State Gus Wiseman, Deputy Director, Investment Opportunities and Propositions, United Kingdom Moderated by: George T. Frampton, Jr., Distinguished Senior Fellow; Director, Transatlantic Climate Policy Initiative, Global Energy Center, Atlantic Council Location: Cluster 2, Dubai Exhibition Center North Hall, Expo 2020, Dubai CEO ROUNDTABLE Moderator: Frederick Kempe, President and CEO, Atlantic Council Location: Cluster 3, Dubai Exhibition Center North Hall, Expo 2020, Dubai |
| 4:30 p.m. (GST)/ 8:30 a.m. (ET) | GETTING OFF RUSSIAN GAS: PRACTICAL STEPS FOR EUROPE Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and its manipulation of the European gas market before then, has made discussions in Europe about getting out from under Russian gas hegemony more pressing than ever. It is now time to identify the most workable solutions, and to use the opportunity to improve supply security for the whole of Europe rather than dominant energy consumers on the continent. What options are the most feasible in the short term? What type of infrastructure investment would be needed to enable them, if any? Which relationships would need to be developed or strengthened? Ana Birchall, Special Envoy for Strategic and International Affairs, Nuclearelectrica The Rt Hon. Charles Hendry, CBE PC Professor, University of Edinburgh; Former Minister of State for Energy, United Kingdom H.E. Michał Kurtyka, President, COP24 Amb. Richard Morningstar, Founding Chairman, Global Energy Center, Atlantic Council Moderator: Phillip Cornell, Senior Fellow, Global Energy Center, Atlantic Council Location: Cluster 1, Dubai Exhibition Center North Hall, Expo 2020, Dubai LEAPFROGGING TO CLEAN ENERGY IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD: WHAT IS REALLY POSSIBLE? Developing countries have been at the forefront of climate action, with massive investment into renewable energy generation and growing industries across regions. Expanding energy access in tandem with developing clean energy resources offers countries the opportunity to ‘leapfrog’ to advanced and clean energy systems, but doing so will require new, innovative investment strategies and partnerships to develop and deploy emerging technologies at scale. To what extent is ‘leapfrogging’ possible, given the financial investment necessary? What resources and partnerships will be most critical to enabling innovative green infrastructure in developing countries? Ana Hajduka, Chief Executive Officer, Africa GreenCo Ebru Özdemir, Chairperson, Limak Holding Glenn Pearce-Oroz, Sr. Director of International Relations & Special Projects, Sustainable Energy for All Anna Shpitsberg, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Transformation, US Department of State Aida Sitdikova, Director, Energy Eurasia MEA, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Moderator: Andrea Clabough, Non-resident Senior Fellow, Global Energy Center, Atlantic Council Location: Cluster 2, Dubai Exhibition Center North Hall, Expo 2020, Dubai FUTURE OF REFINING: REDUCING THE CARBON INTENSITY OF FUELS AND CHEMICALS As countries around the world decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors like aviation and shipping, biofuels will grow in importance, requiring refineries to pivot and scale sustainably with an increased emphasis on substituting organic inputs at the point of refining rather than blending further downstream. And the supply of novel fuels like ammonia and urea is largely controlled by actors who may be willing to weaponize energy. In an effort to make decarbonization attainable to both developed and developing nations without replicating existing concentrated supply chains, how can the refining sector adapt to produce a wide range of less carbon-intense fuels from relatively unfamiliar raw materials? John Cooper, Director General, FuelsEurope & Concawe Preeti Jain, Director, Business Development & Government Relations, LanzaTech Michael McAdams, President, Advanced Biofuels Association (virtual) Devin O’Grady, Director, Fuel for the Canadian Fuels Association Moderator: Gerard Ostheimer, Ph.D., Co-Manager, Clean Energy Ministerial Biofuture Campaign Location: Cluster 3, Dubai Exhibition Center North Hall, Expo 2020, Dubai |
| 6:30 p.m. (GST)/ 10:30 a.m. (ET) | Reception co-hosted by Snam at Italy Expo Pavilion |
| 7:30 p.m. (GST)/ 11:30 a.m. (ET) | FAREWELL RECEPTION Location: Beach Bar, Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa, Dubai |
The Global Energy Center develops and promotes pragmatic and nonpartisan policy solutions designed to advance global energy security, enhance economic opportunity, and accelerate pathways to net-zero emissions.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Sign up to receive our weekly DirectCurrent newsletter to stay up to date on the program’s work.
Follow the conversation on social media using #ACEnergyForum and #ADSW