Riyadh:HE Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi, Qatar's Minister of State for Energy Affairs and the President and CEO of QatarEnergy, emphasized the importance of keeping energy separate from political conflicts. His call for a new world energy order was made during the 17th International Energy Forum Ministerial Meeting, which brought together Energy Ministers, government representatives, industry leaders, and international organizations.
According to Qatar News Agency, the forum was held under the theme "Energy Security - A Shared Responsibility Market Fundamentals, Supply Chain Resilience, and the New Dynamics of Demand and Supply." During his remarks, Al Kaabi expressed Qatar's solidarity with Saudi Arabia, extending condolences to those affected by recent attacks and wishing a quick recovery for the injured.
Al Kaabi highlighted that the region's conflicts have resulted in what he described as the world's worst energy crisis, impacting approximately 20% of global hydrocarbon supplies. He pointed out that numerous regional energy assets have been targeted, causing substantial financial damage and market instability.
Further, Al Kaabi underscored the broader human consequences of energy insecurity, noting that a billion people lack electricity access and four billion rely on food produced with manufactured fertilizers. He stressed the necessity of protecting energy security and ensuring the free flow of energy without political interference.
The Minister urged the International Energy Forum to prioritize protecting energy infrastructure during conflicts, emphasizing that energy security should be a uniting force rather than a divisive one. He advocated for safeguarding energy infrastructure from being used as a military target, reinforcing the need for collective responsibility in maintaining energy security.