His Excellency the Minister of Oil inaugurates the 13th Annual Forum of the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA)

H.E. Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Minister of Oil, inaugurated the 13th Annual Forum of the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA), which was held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from 27 to 29 November 2018. The participants were more than 2,000 international leaders and experts from the chemical industry, senior officials from regional government bodies and academia from 50 countries across the world, to exchange ideas on strengthening strategic partnerships, diversification strategies and growth in the era of the fourth industrial revolution.

In his opening remarks, H.E. the Minister expressed his great pleasure in participating in this important strategic forum organized by GPCA, stressing his great pride in seeing this prominent and continuing Gulf entity in its commitment to its principles and objectives. H.E. noted the importance of this annual forum, which is a regional and global platform that attracts executive leadership in the energy sector regionally and globally, to discuss and exchange views and perspectives on the pressing issues affecting the growth of the sector and how to develop it in the future.

H.E. also thanked Mr. Yousef Al Bunyan, President of the Conference and Chairman of the Board of Directors of GPCA for the kind invitation to participate in this important global event.

In his opening remarks, H.E. the Minister addressed the support provided by governments in the GCC countries to the petrochemical and chemical industries, and their tireless efforts in overcoming the many challenges in this changing market. Thereby ensuring stability and persistence for this strategic industry, H.E. stressed the importance of the GCC countries and the Middle East and North Africa to invest in modern technology in order to ensure a stable and sustainable supply of increasing global demand for chemicals, in view of the increase of population in the world.

The forum included four specialized symposiums examining the opportunities and challenges of digitization, network security, and trade in times of growing protectionism, as well as the role of women in the sector. A circular economy session titled how to "Think Circular" and plan for the future is an exceptional opportunity to learn about the latest challenges and trends in this sector and in how to address them.

The forum also hosted the ninth session of the "Leaders of Tomorrow" program launched by GPCA in the context of its community service programs, a platform that provides university and college students in science, technology, engineering and math disciplines with an opportunity to learn about future job opportunities in this sector, by interacting with sector leaders and identifying the latest industry trends.

On the sidelines of the forum, H.E. the Minister of Oil inaugurated the accompanying exhibition, which was attended by a number of regional and international companies specializing in this field. Where H.E. briefed on the exhibition's modern technologies and innovations in the field of chemicals and fertilizer industry, praising the advanced level of the exhibition and what has been presented, wishing everyone success and achievement.

On the other hand, the Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company (GPIC) co-sponsored a high-level delegation headed by H.E. Dr. Ahmed Ali Al Sharyan, Chairman of the Board of directors, and with the membership of Dr. Abdulrahman Jawahery, GPIC President.

The annual GPCA Forum is the largest and most prominent gathering of chemical sector leaders in the Arabian Gulf and is attracting more than 2,000 delegates from nearly 600 companies in more than 50 countries. Over the past decade, the Forum has been able to be one of the most important platforms for meeting decision makers – not only in the region, but worldwide, and as a base station on the calendar of senior sector leaders, experts and decision makers in the world.