Saudi Arabia Opens 17th International Energy Forum Ministerial Meeting, Calls for Shared Energy Security
RIYADH, October 11 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) - Minister of Energy and Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz opened the 17th International Energy Forum Ministerial Meeting in Riyadh on Sunday, calling for international cooperation and investment to ensure reliable energy supplies. Saudi Arabia hosted the meeting alongside co-hosts Italy and Nigeria.
Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz said Saudi Arabia remained committed to meeting its obligations and maintaining reliable supplies under all circumstances. He cited the East–West Pipeline, which provides an alternative route to international markets through Yanbu on the Red Sea, as an example of investment in the resilience of Saudi Arabia’s energy system.
Energy security was a shared responsibility requiring cooperation and coordination, he said, linking reliable supplies to economic stability and sustainable growth. Infrastructure takes years to develop, he added, and investment in production, refining, transport and pipelines must precede demand. Maintaining flexibility carries a cost, but a lack of preparedness could impose far greater costs on the global economy.
Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz said Saudi Arabia’s approach to energy security encompassed oil, gas, renewable energy, nuclear energy and geothermal energy. Recalling energy-market volatility in 2008, he stressed the importance of dialogue, investment and preparation to respond to changing conditions and meet future demand.
Italy’s Minister of the Environment and Energy Security Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) Senator Heineken Lokpobiri and International Energy Forum Secretary General Eng. Jassim Isa Al-Shirawi participated in the inauguration programme. Ministers and industry representatives expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its people following attacks on civilians.
The International Energy Forum Secretary General, ministers and delegates also welcomed an announcement that the United States would rejoin the International Energy Forum.
Held as part of Energy Week in Riyadh, the meeting brought together energy ministers, industry leaders and heads of international organizations. Sessions addressed supply security, investment and trade in sustainable energy solutions, market stability, producer-consumer dialogue and data transparency. Discussions also covered resilient infrastructure, diversified supply chains, new technologies and critical mineral supply chains.
Energy Week in Riyadh also included the seventh meeting of the Heads of JODI Partner Organizations, which endorsed the 2026–2030 Roadmap for the Joint Organizations Data Initiative. Coordinated by the International Energy Forum, the roadmap aims to strengthen national reporting capabilities and improve the coverage and timeliness of oil and gas data, including inventories and refined products. Ministers also welcomed continued cooperation under the Joint IEA-IEF-OPEC Work Programme.
Source: SPA.
