Strengthening Competitiveness in the Energy Transition: The Middle East Advantage

The Middle East’s refining and petrochemicals industries are uniquely positioned to lead in the global energy transition. With access to low-cost, low- carbon feedstocks, deep integration across value chains, strong financial resources, and strategies aligned with national development visions, the region is poised to accelerate the shift toward low-carbon fuels, sustainable chemicals, and circular solutions.

From 20-22 October 2025, an influential group of energy leaders will gather over three days to explore the strategies and technologies that will efficiently and profitably reduce emissions and the carbon intensity of the downstream sectors assets, processes and products.

The 5th edition of ESF MENA - Middle East Energy & Sustainability Forum, the premier platform for industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers, driving the future of energy and sustainability in the Middle East, is taking place in Al Khobar, the heart of the region’s energy industry, and this year, there is an elevated focus on Digitalisation & AI.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

• Morning Seminar, hosted by Wood
• Afternoon Seminar, hosted by Plant.Digital
• Keynote Executive Panel: Advancing the MENA Advantage - with confirmed/invited panellists from Aramco, SABIC, SATORP, OQ, Wood, Axens
• Digitalisation & AI Panel: Breaking the Barriers - with confirmed/invited panellists from Aramco, Sipchem, AIQ, Plant.Digital, Wood, KBC (A Yokogawa Company)
• Decarbonisation Panel: The Middle East’s Time to Shine - with confirmed/invited panellists from Aramco, ADNOC, ENOWA, Saudi Investment Recycling Company (SIRC), Wood
• Market Overview - from industry expert S&P Global Commodity Insights
• Producer Case Studies - two separate presentations by Aramco
• Technology Focused - key topics: Digitalisation & AI Applications for Efficiency, Renewable Fuels & Technology Pathways, Renewable Chemicals & Biobased Plastics, Green Hydrogen, Ammonia & Methanol, Circular Solutions & Advanced Recycling Technologies, Carbon Capture Technologies & Solutions, Energy & Operational Efficiency, Asset & Process Optimisation, Catalyst Technologies & Bio Feedstock Applications, Waste- to-Energy
• Empowering Young Engineers - Lunch & Learn - focusing on the next generation of leaders
• Networking - meet international licensors, technology providers, digital solutions providers, and more during the variety of intimate networking opportunities

To ensure there is a forward-thinking, relevant, and insightful agenda in place for ESF MENA 2025, we held the Advisory Committee Meeting, which assembled a select group of senior industry executives from Aramco, Borouge, Dow, OQ, OQ8, National Petrochemical Industrial Co. (NATPET), TotalEnergies, Saudi Investment Recycling Company (SIRC), Axens, Ingenero, Lummus Technology, Shell Catalysts & Technologies, Topsoe, Wood, PwC, to discuss the challenges and opportunities that are driving the region's sustainability and decarbonisation agenda. Here is a summary of the key takeaways from that meeting:

1. Regional competitive advantages (e.g. low-carbon crude) should drive Middle East decarbonisation strategies, rather than copying approaches from other regions.
2. Regulations, incentives and commercial viability must align to drive sustainability initiatives; current misalignment hinders progress.
3. Significant investment needed in education/training to build regional capacity for new green technologies and jobs.
4. AI/digitalisation seen as key near-term opportunity to improve efficiency and reduce emissions of existing assets.

This year’s forum comes at a pivotal moment for the region’s refining, petrochemicals, and energy sectors—sectors that are uniquely positioned to lead in low-carbon innovation, circular solutions, and industrial transformation aligned with national visions such as Saudi Vision 2030 and the UAE Net Zero 2050 initiative.

We know that there is no silver bullet, and the energy transition requires many solutions. No one company, refinery, or plant can succeed alone, it will require partnerships. We invite you to join us in Al Khobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, this October to play your part in the decarbonisation discussion.

Launched in 2021, ESF MENA is part of the highly respected, industry leading series of Energy & Sustainability Forums, taking place in Europe, North America, and the Middle East. The forum brings together refiners, petrochemical producers, consultants, licensors, technology providers, and equipment suppliers to support the development of a sustainable energy future in which the refining and petrochemicals industries continues to play a leading role.

👉Register Now and Join The Conversation!