His Excellency Jassim Alshirawi

Jassim Alshirawi is the sixth Secretary General of the International Energy Forum (IEF), the largest international organization of energy ministers, headquartered in the Diplomatic Quarter of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. His term officially began on January 1, 2025. The first Secretary General of the IEF from the Middle East, Mr. Alshirawi is seasoned veteran of the energy industry with over 40 years of energy experience and leadership in both the public and private sectors. Mr. Alshirawi contributed to the advancement of Bahrain's energy sector in various roles, including as advisory to the Minister of Oil & Gas, and in multiple leadership roles at the Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco), the National Oil & Gas Authority, the Ministry of Oil. He has contributed towards the development of the Sustainable Energy Centre, that oversaw the implementation of National Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Plans under Bahrain's Minister of Electricity and Water. He has coordinated Bahrain's participation in a number of energy organizations, including WPC (now WPC Energy), the International Gas Union (IGU), the IEF, and OPEC. With seven years of experience as Bahrain's representative on the Executive Board and nine years on the International Support Group of the International Energy Forum, Mr. Alshirawi brings in-depth knowledge of the organization he now leads. Mr. Alshirawi's lifelong contributions to Bahrain's energy and engineering sectors were honored in 2019 when His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa awarded him the prestigious the Order of National Action medal.

Session Overview

Wednesday, 5 November

10:00

Decarbonisation ICC Hall B 10:00 - 10:40

Global shifts: navigating an era of diverging priorities

The global energy transition is entering a new phase defined by recalibration rather than acceleration, as governments seek to reconcile climate ambition with the realities of affordability, access, and security. The rollback of U.S. climate incentives under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and the introduction of the European Union’s Clean Industrial Deal have revealed a fragmented policy landscape where national priorities increasingly diverge. Amid this complexity, energy ministries are reshaping their strategies to sustain economic resilience, advancing renewables and power sector reform while modernising legacy systems to ensure reliability and investment continuity. The resurgence of hydrocarbons, volatility in critical minerals, and renewed regional competition for energy supply are further compelling governments to strengthen domestic capacity and pursue pragmatic cooperation across borders. Against this backdrop, the core question is not whether to decarbonise, but how to align transition goals with growth, fiscal stability, and social development.

Attendee Insights:

Gain perspective on how energy leaders are redefining the balance between security, sustainability, and industrial strength to deliver credible decarbonisation in a rapidly shifting global landscape.