ABOUT THE EVENT
The 7th IEF–EU Energy and Climate Forum will take place on 25 November 2026 at the International Energy Forum Headquarters in Riyadh, bringing together senior policymakers, energy and industry leaders, investors and experts from the European Union, Saudi Arabia, the GCC and the wider MENA region.
Co-hosted by the International Energy Forum (IEF) and the European Union, in partnership with the EU–GCC Cooperation on Green Transition Project, the Forum builds on six previous editions of IEF–EU energy and climate dialogue and provides a high-level platform for policy exchange, practical cooperation and new partnerships.
This year’s Forum comes at a time when energy security, market stability, industrial competitiveness and climate delivery are increasingly interconnected. Discussions will focus on how EU–GCC cooperation can move beyond dialogue towards clean industrial partnerships, stronger energy-market resilience and investable clean-energy value chains.
The Forum will also feature a dedicated spotlight on the IEF report Empowering Sustainable Futures: MENA NDCs Climate Action, highlighting regional progress and opportunities for cooperation around climate implementation.
WHY THIS FORUM MATTERS NOW
Energy and climate cooperation is entering a new phase. Global energy markets remain exposed to geopolitical uncertainty and volatility, while countries are simultaneously working to strengthen competitiveness, secure investment and deliver increasingly ambitious climate commitments.
For the European Union, energy transition is increasingly linked to industrial resilience, competitive low-carbon production, secure supply chains and international partnerships.
For Saudi Arabia and the GCC, the transition is closely connected to energy security, economic diversification, industrial development and the expansion of new value chains in areas such as hydrogen, sustainable fuels, critical minerals, grids and clean-energy infrastructure.
Against this backdrop, the Forum provides an opportunity to connect policy, industry, finance and implementation, and to identify where EU–GCC cooperation can translate shared priorities into practical partnerships and projects.
The central focus of the 7th edition is clear: moving from dialogue to delivery.
FORUM FOCUS
The Forum will centre on three principal areas of discussion:
EU–GCC Energy and Climate Dialogue
From Energy Trade to Clean Industrial Partnerships
The opening keynote dialogue will examine how the EU–GCC relationship can evolve from traditional energy trade towards deeper cooperation on clean industry, technology, investment and climate delivery.
Clean Energy Value Chains
Hydrogen, Sustainable Fuels, Critical Minerals, Grids and Finance
The discussion will explore how policy, infrastructure, investment and market development can support commercially viable clean-energy value chains across the EU and GCC.
Energy Security, Market Stability and Carbon Competitiveness
In a Volatile Transition
The Forum will examine how energy-market resilience, affordability and security can be maintained while industries respond to evolving carbon markets, competitiveness pressures and the wider energy transition.
IEF Report Spotlight
A dedicated segment will present key findings from Empowering Sustainable Futures: MENA NDCs Climate Action, providing a regional perspective on climate action and implementation across MENA.
WHY SHOULD YOU ATTEND?
The Forum offers participants the opportunity to:
- engage directly with senior policymakers, energy and industry leaders, investors and experts from the EU, Saudi Arabia, the GCC and wider MENA region;
- exchange perspectives on energy security, clean industrial partnerships, market resilience and climate delivery;
- explore emerging opportunities across hydrogen, sustainable fuels, critical minerals, grids, infrastructure and clean-energy finance;
- connect with institutions and companies involved in developing and implementing new energy and industrial value chains;
- contribute to a practical discussion focused on turning policy priorities into investment, partnerships and implementation.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
The Forum is designed for senior representatives and practitioners from:
Government and public institutions; energy and industry; finance and investment; research and academia; international organisations; chambers of commerce; business councils; and cooperation partners.
REGISTER YOUR INTEREST
Participation in the 7th IEF–EU Energy and Climate Forum is free of charge and subject to registration.
Register your interest to receive event updates, programme announcements and speaker confirmations.
The Forum will provide a focused platform for high-level dialogue, practical cooperation and partnership-building between EU, Saudi, GCC and wider MENA stakeholders.
Register now to secure your place and be part of the discussion on energy security, industrial competitiveness and climate delivery.