The 17th annual Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) Forum, hosted by QatarEnergy, was held at the Qatar National Convention Centre, Doha from 3-6 December 2023. H.E. Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Minister of State for Energy Affairs and President and CEO, QatarEnergy, and H.R.H. Prince Abdulaziz Bin Salman Al-Saud, Minister of Energy, Saudi Arabia, inaugurated the exhibition.
H.E. Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi commented, “Since its establishment in 2006, the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association has worked diligently to build a strong GCC chemical industry. Today, with more than 250 member companies from the chemical and allied industries, GPCA is focused on dealing with the most important challenges and trends impacting the use of petrochemical products”.
H.R.H. Prince Abdulaziz Bin Salman Al-Saud, Minister of Energy, Saudi Arabia said, “As the COP28 commences, it is important to recognize that the petrochemical sector is also a crucial element in the global campaign to reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG). The petrochemical industry is often under scrutiny for environmental concern, but it has emerged as a driving force in fostering positive changes in the fight against climate change”.
H.E. Salim bin Nasser bin Said Al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals, Oman, announced Oman as the official host of the 18th annual GPCA forum, set to take place in December 2024. Eng. Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh, CEO, SABIC and Chairman, GPCA added, “The Annual GPCA Forum takes place at a crucial time for the chemical and petrochemical industry, as we contend with important challenges that will shape the industry’s future for decades to come. As ever, the chemical industry needs to remain resilient in the face of ongoing challenges and invent new avenues for growth – where chemistry is an essential solution provider to the challenges the world faces. Innovating for the future, catering to the growing demands of our customers, and successfully navigating a world that’s more complex than ever before, will be a key imperative for the industry in 2024 and beyond”.
The press release stated that regional and global chemical CEOs, including Peter Vanacker, CEO, LyondellBasell, Nadia Al Hajji, CEO, PIC, Tom Crotty, Group Director, Ineos, Paul Smith, MD – Global Head of Chemicals, Citi, and Mutlaq H. Al-Morished, CEO, Tasnee, shared their insights.
Dr. Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun, Secretary General, GPCA, commented, “At this year’s Annual GPCA Forum we’ve continued our focus on delivering unrivalled quality of networking, thought leadership and content for our delegates and members, and so far, attendees’ response has been overwhelmingly positive. I would like to thank our host QatarEnergy for their hospitality and support to make this happen. As the chemical industry continues to be faced with new challenges and opportunities, our aim has been to facilitate the partnerships and collaboration needed to mobilize the industry around alignment and concrete action on issues such as sustainability, trade, circular economy, plastics waste management and so much more. Now in its 17th year, the Annual GPCA Forum, GPCA’s flagship event, has served as the ideal platform to deliver on this objective with confidence and I wish everyone a productive time during this year’s forum”.
