Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority (GCCIA), a joint stock company comprising of the six Arab Gulf counties,conducted a Forum on ‘Climate Change and Energy Security’. The event was held on 4^th October 2021 at the pavilion of the Gulf Cooperation Council at Expo 2020 Dubai.

The Forum comes at a time where GCCIA announced that during the year 2020, the actual savings achieved by member states was estimated at USD 182.87 million, which resulted from savings in investments in building power stations, reduction in operational costs and operational reserves, and economic savings. The forum witnessed a gathering of policy makers, energy industry experts and thought leaders who set the energy and climate change agenda for the year.

Some of the dignitaries who participated in the Forum are Eng. Fatima Al Foora Al Shamsi, Executive Director for Energy Policy at Department of Energy, Abu Dhabi, UAE; Eng. Chris Peeters, CEO of Elia Group, Belgium; Dr. Lawrence E. Jones, Vice President of International Programs at Edison Electric Institute (EEI), USA; Dr. AnesDallagi, Project Director and Middle East Manager at EDF Power Systems and Transmission Engineering Centre and Dr. Amro El‐Shurafa, Energy Policy and Technology Advisor at King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Centre. The discussion was moderated by Engineer Ahmed Al-Ebrahim, CEO of GCCIA.

The main objective of the Forum was to explore issues related to climate change and the impact it will have on the future of energy security and how to combat it. The discussion focused on evaluating the role of Gulf Cooperation Council energy sector in reducing the carbon footprint and carbon emissions and the role GCCIA plays in grid Interconnections in integration of new and renewable energy sources.

Commenting on the event,Engineer Ahmed Al-Ebrahim, CEO of GCCIA, said, “We are pleased to present the Climate Change and Energy Security Forum as it is a testament to our commitment to fight climate change and reduce our collective carbon footprints. The global consumption patterns are changing, the climate is changing and as such the Gulf region will also change greatly. We must be ready for the change and keep up with the rest of the world in meeting sustainable developmental goals and this is the time to act.”

According to reports, Middle East Energy will witness an increasing demand for energy, which is set to grow by 3.35% per annum for the next 15 years in the region, as the Middle East and North Africa’ (MENA) population is estimated to grow by 20%. With the demand for energy rising increased integration of energy systems will increase broader market integration and drive sustainable development. As such, ‘Climate Change and Energy Security’ forum provided a platform to discuss implications of changing energy system in this region, challenges confronting the energy industry, collaborate with industry leaders and share thoughts on global energy trends.