Doha: 26th of February 2025

CEO Roundtable Series 2025
 

Yesterday, senior industry leaders, policymakers, and international experts underscored the urgent need for cross-sector collaboration to drive the energy transition forward at the first Al-Attiyah Foundation CEO Roundtable of the year.

Held under the Chatham House Rule, the discussion, titled “Balancing Economic Growth and Climate Action in the Energy Sector”, facilitated a candid exchange of views on several critical issues. Innovation and technology were highlighted as key drivers for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with global investments in clean energy reaching $1.7 trillion in 2023. Participants also examined policies and regulatory frameworks needed to align corporate strategies with climate targets, noting that more than 130 countries have committed to net-zero emissions by 2050.

The discussion explored investment models that enable sustainable economic growth without compromising environmental sustainability, with projections indicating that transitioning to a low-carbon economy could generate up to 30 million new jobs worldwide by 2030. The complexities of transitioning to clean energy, including supply chain constraints, workforce reskilling, and infrastructure modernisation, were also addressed.

Speakers at the event included international experts such as Janos Pasztor, former Assistant Secretary for Climate Change at the United Nations; Ovais Sarmad, former Deputy Executive Secretary of UNFCCC and UN Assistant Secretary-General; Professor Jacopo Torritti, Professor of Economics and Policy at Reading University; and Creon Butler, Director, Global Economy and Finance Programme at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House.

Speaking after the discussion, Dr. Ibrahim Ibrahim, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Al-Attiyah Foundation, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome our member companies and industry experts to our first CEO Roundtable of the year. As the world races toward its 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, the Al-Attiyah Foundation remains committed to fostering dialogue and providing independent insights on global energy and sustainability challenges. A low-carbon future requires strategic partnerships between governments, businesses, and financial institutions to scale up renewable energy investments.”

The CEO Roundtable series will continue throughout the year, offering industry leaders a dedicated space to exchange ideas and shape the future of energy. For more information about the CEO Roundtable, click here.