Senior executives from major energy companies including ExxonMobil, TotalEnergies, Shell, Chevron, and BP have been removed from the WPC Energy Congress program in Riyadh. This decision was made as Saudi officials continue to emphasize the importance of holding the event despite the recent deadly attacks on the capital. The recent attacks on Riyadh, carried out by Houthi militants from Yemen, have raised significant security concerns.
Impact of the Attacks on the Energy Congress
The WPC Energy Congress, which began on Sunday, was expected to be a platform for discussions on global oil and gas markets, energy security, and energy transition. However, the removal of senior executives from the program indicates the negative impact of these attacks on international participation in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman expressed gratitude to attendees for traveling to Riyadh during the opening session on Monday, emphasizing that the safety of attendees is a priority for the country.
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Challenges Facing Saudi Arabia
The recent attacks on Riyadh, particularly one that resulted in 13 deaths and over 300 injuries, have dealt a blow to Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 program. This initiative aims to diversify the economy and transform Saudi Arabia into an investment and tourism hub, but it is now facing security challenges and delays in hosting international events. Prince Abdulaziz noted that Saudi Arabia's response must be as serious as the recent events, and the country must continue to ensure security and maintain stability.
The WPC Energy Congress, originally scheduled for April, was delayed due to international tensions. Saudi Arabia was selected as the host for this event in October 2022, marking the first time this congress is held in the country.
Major energy companies typically participate in these congresses and were expected to discuss developments in energy markets and upcoming challenges. In this regard, a BP spokesperson stated that the company made every effort to attend the congress but is unable to participate due to travel disruptions. Other companies such as Shell and TotalEnergies have also not responded to requests for comment.
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