25th WPC Energy Congress Concludes in Riyadh with Record 33,000-Plus Registrations
The 25th WPC Energy Congress concluded today in Riyadh, following five days of events hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 11 to 15 October 2026 as part of “Energy Week in Riyadh.”
The congress achieved a historic milestone, recording more than 33,000 registrations — the highest in its 93-year history — with participants from 135 countries and 489 media representatives.
The record number of registrations marked a defining moment in WPC Energy’s history and for the energy sector, reflecting the scale of international participation and the breadth of discussions taking place in Riyadh.
Hosted by Saudi Arabia for the first time under the theme “Pathways to an Energy Future for All,” the Congress brought together energy ministers, industry leaders, policymakers, investors and experts from around the world, reflecting its international significance and the growing importance of dialogue on energy security, resilience, investment and innovation.
The congress was officially inaugurated by Minister of Energy and Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, alongside WPC Energy President and President of the WPC Energy Congress Pedro Miras.
The congress programme featured ministerial dialogues, panel discussions and technical sessions covering a broad range of topics, including artificial intelligence, digital transformation, transport technologies, financing, energy efficiency and resilient infrastructure. It also provided a platform for international partnerships, knowledge exchange and engagement across the global energy value chain.
Ministerial dialogues throughout the Congress explored the future of energy, global oil and gas markets, and the priorities underpinning Saudi Arabia’s transformation under Vision 2030.
Government representatives, industry executives and technical experts also examined the policies, technologies and investments shaping the future of energy.
Discussions addressed ways to strengthen energy security, build resilient systems and advance practical solutions that respond to the differing priorities and development needs of countries worldwide.
The congress also marked a milestone in industry recognition, with WPC Energy’s Dewhurst Award presented to Vicki Hollub, a member of the Board of Directors and former Chief Executive Officer of Occidental Petroleum and the first woman to lead a major U.S. oil company. Hollub became the first woman to receive the award.
Translating dialogue into tangible outcomes, investment and international partnerships was another central theme throughout the congress, which provided a platform for cooperation agreements and initiatives aimed at advancing energy development and innovation.
The inaugural Energy Hackathon, organised by the Ministry of Energy as part of the Congress and “Energy Week in Riyadh,” highlighted the next generation of energy innovators. Minister of Energy and Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz honoured six winning teams across three categories: Operational Efficiency, Transformative Innovation and Intelligent Control.
The nationwide competition attracted more than 6,700 registered participants from over 40 Saudi cities, connecting emerging talent with industry expertise and providing opportunities to develop innovative solutions.
Beyond the Congress programme, Saudi Night welcomed international delegates to the Saudi Pavilion at Boulevard World, offering an immersive introduction to the Kingdom’s cultural heritage. Five regional zones showcased traditional performances, crafts, workshops and regional cuisine, celebrating Saudi Arabia’s cultural diversity and hospitality.
Alongside the 25th WPC Energy Congress and as part of “Energy Week in Riyadh,” Riyadh hosted the 16th session of the Arab Ministerial Council for Electricity on 12 October 2026. Chaired by Saudi Arabia, the meeting brought together Arab electricity and energy ministers, the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States and relevant Arab organisations.
Discussions covered progress on the signing and ratification of the two agreements governing the Arab Common Electricity Market, a pilot electricity exchange project involving Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan, as well as renewable energy, energy efficiency and cooperation on clean hydrogen, with the aim of supporting electricity grid integration and strengthening energy security across the Arab region.
“Energy Week in Riyadh” also featured the 17th Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM17) and the 11th Mission Innovation Ministerial (MI-11), aimed at strengthening international cooperation in energy.
The congress closed with the official handover to Kazakhstan, which will host the 26th WPC Energy Congress in Astana from 11 to 15 June 2028, marking the first time the Congress will be held in Central Asia and opening the next chapter in WPC Energy’s global dialogue.
