Minister of Energy and Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Opens 25th WPC Energy Congress in Riyadh
Riyadh, October 12, 2026, SPA -- Minister of Energy and Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz opened the 25th WPC Energy Congress in Riyadh today, held under the theme “Pathways to an Energy Future for All.” The congress brings together senior officials, industry executives, investors, experts and energy professionals from Saudi Arabia, the region and around the world.
Hosted by Saudi Arabia for the first time in the congress’s more than 90-year history, the event runs through October 15 and addresses key issues across the energy sector, including security of supply, markets, investment, technology, innovation, sustainability and human capital development.
In his opening remarks, Prince Abdulaziz said Saudi Arabia would overcome the challenges it faces and continue moving forward, honoring its commitments and pursuing its vision with a clear responsibility to future generations. He pointed to the scale of the Kingdom’s transformation over a relatively short period and its determination to continue shaping its own future.
Prince Abdulaziz said recent developments in the region and the Kingdom had reinforced that energy security cannot be taken for granted, particularly as supply routes come under pressure and infrastructure is targeted. He said Saudi Arabia believes resilience must be built before crises occur, noting that the Kingdom has invested over decades in infrastructure, spare capacity, storage, alternative export routes, technology, domestic supply chains and human capabilities.
He said localization goes beyond an economic objective for the Kingdom, describing it as a strategic capability that supports business continuity and recovery when international supply chains are disrupted.
Prince Abdulaziz said the resilience of energy systems is measured not only by spare production capacity, pipelines or generation capacity, but also by the ability to maintain, repair, reroute, substitute, recover and continue delivering supplies under pressure. Resilience, he said, is a state of preparedness built and sustained over time and demonstrated through action. Saudi Arabia’s proven ability to withstand disruption and recover supports the reliability of international energy supplies and reinforces the Kingdom’s position as a trusted partner in the global economy.
He affirmed that there can be no energy future for all without energy security for all, stressing that energy security and the transformation of the energy sector must advance together.
Prince Abdulaziz added that Saudi Arabia would continue investing in reliable oil and gas supplies, expanding renewable energy, strengthening electricity grids, storage capacity and gas infrastructure, advancing lower-emission technologies and solutions, building domestic manufacturing capabilities, reinforcing supply-chain resilience and investing in human capital.
He also reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to implementing the plans and programs of Saudi Vision 2030 and to continued investment in developing its energy system and industrial capabilities, while maintaining its commitment both to the security and prosperity of its people and to its international partnerships.
WPC Energy President Pedro Miras underscored the pivotal role of Saudi Arabia in global energy systems through increased investment and critical innovation.
Miras said the world is advancing cutting-edge technologies and developing new energy solutions to help safeguard global energy security, support economic stability and improve the lives of billions of people around the world. He said these efforts come as a rapidly evolving global economy demands stronger energy infrastructure and new, sustainable solutions.
He added that energy security is fundamental to economic growth and social stability, and that a successful transformation of the energy sector requires sustained, long-term investment. He also highlighted the role of artificial intelligence, digitalization, new fuels and carbon storage technologies in shaping the sector’s future.
Miras underscored the importance of international cooperation in advancing shared energy goals, saying collective action is essential to securing a safe and sustainable energy future for all.
The congress program includes ministerial dialogues as well as strategic and technical sessions addressing developments in energy markets, investment, emerging technologies, carbon management, natural gas, critical minerals, digital transformation and artificial intelligence. An accompanying exhibition, spanning approximately 50,000 square meters, brings together countries and leading companies to showcase the latest technologies and solutions across the energy sector.
The opening of the 25th WPC Energy Congress also coincides with the start of technical meetings for the 17th Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM17) and the 11th Mission Innovation Ministerial (MI-11), hosted by Saudi Arabia from October 11 to 13 under the theme “Inspiring Transformations to Deliver Regional Transitions.” The meetings form part of Energy Week in Riyadh, which also features a series of international energy meetings and events.
The WPC Energy Congress is the flagship event of WPC Energy, an organization founded in 1933 with members representing more than 60 countries. It provides an international platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange and cooperation across the energy sector. Over its history, the congress has brought together government representatives, industry leaders, investors and experts to discuss developments shaping the sector and explore opportunities, solutions and technologies contributing to the future of energy.
The 25th WPC Energy Congress is supported by a broad group of partners and sponsors from Saudi Arabia and around the world. These include Saudi Aramco as Energy and Innovation Partner; the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC) as National Partner; Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) and Saudi Energy as National Energy Leaders; and Saudi National Bank as Financial Partner, alongside companies and institutions participating across a range of partner, strategic sponsor, distinguished sponsor and sector sponsor categories.
-- SPA
