Riyadh:Minister of Energy and Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, inaugurated the 17th International Energy Forum Ministerial Meeting (IEF17) today alongside co-hosts Italy and Nigeria. The meeting, centered around the theme 'Energy Security and Shared Goals in a New Era,' is part of Energy Week in Riyadh.
According to Saudi Press Agency, Prince Abdulaziz emphasized Saudi Arabia's commitment to ensuring reliable energy supplies and highlighted the East-West Pipeline as a testament to the Kingdom's long-term strategy to bolster energy resilience. He underlined the importance of international cooperation in achieving energy security, stating that it is essential for economic stability and sustainable growth.
The Prince recalled the market volatility of 2008, which demonstrated the need for dialogue and investment in energy infrastructure. He stressed the urgency of building resilient energy systems and noted Saudi Arabia's comprehensive approach to energy security, which includes investments in oil, gas, renewable energy, nuclear energy, and geothermal energy.
The meeting was chaired by Prince Abdulaziz and included participation from Italy's Minister of the Environment and Energy Security Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, Nigeria's Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, and International Energy Forum Secretary General Eng. Jassim Isa Al-Shirawi. Energy ministers and industry leaders gathered to discuss energy security, market stability, and investment amid global market shifts.
Participants in IEF17 expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia following attacks on civilians and welcomed the United States' decision to rejoin the IEF. Discussions also focused on building resilient infrastructure, diversifying supply chains, and investing in sustainable energy solutions.
Energy Week in Riyadh also featured the seventh meeting of the Heads of JODI Partner Organizations, which endorsed the 2026-2030 Roadmap for the Joint Organizations Data Initiative (JODI). This roadmap aims to enhance countries' data-reporting capabilities, providing comprehensive oil and gas data. The ministers also acknowledged ongoing cooperation under the Joint IEA-IEF-OPEC Work Programme.
