KAPSARC Joins 25th WPC Energy Congress as National Partner

The King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC) will participate as a National Partner in the 25th World Petroleum Council (WPC) Energy Congress, taking place in Riyadh from October 11 to 15, 2026, under the theme “Pathways to an Energy Future for All.” This marks the first time Saudi Arabia hosts the prestigious congress, which was first held in London in 1933 and brings together government leaders, industry executives, policymakers, researchers, and innovators to examine the forces reshaping global energy systems.

Context and Background

The WPC Energy Congress is one of the world’s longest-running and most influential gatherings for the energy sector. Its 25th edition will be hosted in Riyadh, underscoring Saudi Arabia’s central role in global energy dialogue and its commitment to fostering international cooperation on energy security, investment, technology, and sustainability. KAPSARC, an advisory think tank dedicated to advancing knowledge on energy, environmental, and regional economic issues, will bring its leaders and experts into discussions addressing some of the most important issues shaping the future of energy.

KAPSARC’s participation extends across the congress’s Executive, Technical, Synergy, and Special programs, alongside additional sessions and activities, reflecting the breadth of the center’s research and policy expertise. KAPSARC President Fahad Alajlan and Dean of the KAPSARC School of Public Policy Dr. Ghadah Alarifi are among KAPSARC’s speakers in the Executive Program.

Key Details

Across the congress, KAPSARC experts will contribute research and policy perspectives on energy supply and demand, energy access, natural gas, ESG and governance, the Circular Carbon Economy, artificial intelligence, mobility, and lower-emission pathways for refining and petrochemicals. Within the Special Program, KAPSARC leads a Knowledge Sprint session titled “Generative AI for Evidence-Based Oil Markets,” examining how generative AI can support oil-market analysis and policy research. The session explores AI-assisted data workflows, econometric and scenario analysis, responsible AI practices, and the translation of technical findings into decision-ready insights.

KAPSARC also participates in the World Café through a session on “Carbon Dioxide Removal Technologies,” bringing together experts, policymakers, and practitioners to examine the prospects for scaling engineered carbon-removal solutions. The discussion covers direct air capture, bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, and biochar, alongside the economic, infrastructure, regulatory, carbon-market, and regional considerations influencing their deployment. In the Synergy Program, KAPSARC experts contribute to discussions on “Accelerating the Circular Carbon Economy Through Joint Action” and “AI Partnerships for Energy Innovation,” bringing research-based perspectives to the intersection of energy, technology, and sustainability.

KAPSARC’s dedicated pavilion provides another platform for knowledge exchange and engagement throughout the congress. Structured around five thematic hubs—the Oil Hub, Transportation Hub, Clean Energy Hub, AI Hub, and Collaboration Hub—the pavilion brings together KAPSARC research, analytical tools, and expertise. Together, the hubs provide visitors with an integrated view of selected research areas and emerging issues shaping energy systems, while creating opportunities for engagement with policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and other congress participants. The pavilion also features the KAPSARC School of Public Policy (KSPP) and the Saudi Energy Leaders Assembly (SELA), providing additional platforms for policy education, leadership development, and knowledge exchange.

Implications and Impact

KAPSARC’s prominent role at the 25th WPC Energy Congress highlights Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in global energy policy and research. By connecting Saudi-based research and policy expertise with international discussions on energy security, investment, technology, and sustainability, KAPSARC helps bridge the gap between regional priorities and global energy challenges. The congress provides a vital platform for Saudi Arabia to showcase its leadership in energy transition, circular carbon economy, and artificial intelligence applications in energy markets.

The event also reinforces Riyadh’s position as a hub for international dialogue and collaboration. As the world seeks pathways to a sustainable energy future, Saudi Arabia’s proactive engagement through KAPSARC demonstrates its commitment to evidence-based policymaking and innovation. The participation of KAPSARC experts in high-level sessions ensures that Saudi perspectives contribute to shaping global energy agendas.

Vision 2030 Alignment

KAPSARC’s participation in the 25th WPC Energy Congress aligns closely with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the economy, enhance international cooperation, and position the Kingdom as a global leader in energy and sustainability. By fostering knowledge exchange and showcasing Saudi research capabilities, KAPSARC supports the Vision’s objectives of economic diversification, knowledge-based development, and global engagement. This congress serves as a testament to Saudi Arabia’s commitment to advancing an inclusive and sustainable energy future for all.

20 Questions

Q1. What is the 25th WPC Energy Congress?

A1. The 25th World Petroleum Council Energy Congress is a major international gathering of energy leaders, held in Riyadh from October 11 to 15, 2026, under the theme “Pathways to an Energy Future for All.” It is the first time Saudi Arabia hosts this prestigious event.

Q2. Who is participating as a National Partner?

A2. The King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC) is participating as a National Partner. KAPSARC is an advisory think tank focused on energy, environmental, and regional economic issues.

Q3. Where and when is the congress taking place?

A3. The congress is taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from October 11 to 15, 2026. It will bring together government leaders, industry executives, policymakers, researchers, and innovators.

Q4. What is the theme of the 25th WPC Energy Congress?

A4. The theme is “Pathways to an Energy Future for All.” It reflects the congress’s focus on examining the forces reshaping global energy systems, from security and investment to technology and sustainability.

Q5. Which KAPSARC leaders are speaking at the congress?

A5. KAPSARC President Fahad Alajlan and Dean of the KAPSARC School of Public Policy Dr. Ghadah Alarifi are among KAPSARC’s speakers in the Executive Program.

Q6. What topics will KAPSARC experts address?

A6. KAPSARC experts will contribute perspectives on energy supply and demand, energy access, natural gas, ESG and governance, the Circular Carbon Economy, artificial intelligence, mobility, and lower-emission pathways for refining and petrochemicals.

Q7. What is the Knowledge Sprint session led by KAPSARC?

A7. The Knowledge Sprint session is titled “Generative AI for Evidence-Based Oil Markets.” It examines how generative AI can support oil-market analysis and policy research, including AI-assisted data workflows and econometric analysis.

Q8. What does the World Café session on carbon dioxide removal cover?

A8. The session covers prospects for scaling engineered carbon-removal solutions, including direct air capture, bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, and biochar, along with economic, infrastructure, regulatory, and carbon-market considerations.

Q9. What is KAPSARC’s role in the Synergy Program?

A9. KAPSARC experts contribute to discussions on “Accelerating the Circular Carbon Economy Through Joint Action” and “AI Partnerships for Energy Innovation,” bringing research-based perspectives to energy, technology, and sustainability.

Q10. What is the KAPSARC pavilion?

A10. The KAPSARC pavilion is a dedicated space with five thematic hubs: Oil Hub, Transportation Hub, Clean Energy Hub, AI Hub, and Collaboration Hub. It showcases KAPSARC research, analytical tools, and expertise.

Q11. What is the purpose of the KAPSARC pavilion?

A11. The pavilion provides an integrated view of selected research areas and emerging issues shaping energy systems. It creates opportunities for engagement with policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and other congress participants.

Q12. What organizations are featured at the KAPSARC pavilion?

A12. The pavilion features the KAPSARC School of Public Policy (KSPP) and the Saudi Energy Leaders Assembly (SELA), offering platforms for policy education, leadership development, and knowledge exchange.

Q13. How does KAPSARC’s participation benefit Saudi Arabia?

A13. It connects Saudi-based research and policy expertise with international discussions on energy security, investment, technology, and sustainability, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s leadership in global energy dialogue and Vision 2030 goals.

Q14. What is KAPSARC’s mission?

A14. KAPSARC is an advisory think tank dedicated to advancing knowledge on energy, environmental, and regional economic issues. Its mission is to advance Saudi Arabia’s energy sector and inform global policies through evidence-based advice and applied research.

Q15. Why is hosting the congress significant for Saudi Arabia?

A15. Hosting the congress for the first time underscores Saudi Arabia’s central role in global energy dialogue and its commitment to fostering international cooperation on energy security, investment, technology, and sustainability.

Q16. How does the congress align with Vision 2030?

A16. It aligns with Vision 2030 by promoting economic diversification, knowledge-based development, and global engagement. It showcases Saudi Arabia’s commitment to an inclusive and sustainable energy future.

Q17. What is the Circular Carbon Economy?

A17. The Circular Carbon Economy is an approach to managing carbon emissions through reduction, reuse, recycling, and removal. It is a key focus of KAPSARC’s research and discussions at the congress.

Q18. What is the significance of AI in energy markets?

A18. AI can enhance oil-market analysis, policy research, and decision-making. KAPSARC’s session on generative AI explores responsible AI practices and the translation of technical findings into decision-ready insights.

Q19. Who attends the WPC Energy Congress?

A19. The congress brings together government leaders, industry executives, policymakers, researchers, and innovators from around the world to examine forces reshaping global energy systems.

Q20. What is the expected outcome of KAPSARC’s participation?

A20. KAPSARC’s participation will facilitate knowledge exchange, showcase Saudi research capabilities, and contribute to global discussions on energy security, investment, technology, and sustainability, supporting a sustainable energy future for all.

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