The forum will take place in Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre, Muscat, Oman, from 2-5 December 2024
Muscat, Oman, 20 November 2024 – The Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA), the voice of the chemical industry in the Arabian Gulf, will unveil the next chapter of the chemical and petrochemical industry at the 18th Annual GPCA Forum, which is scheduled to take place for the first time in the Sultanate of Oman. Held from 2-5 December 2024 in Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre, the forum will be hosted by OQ, attracting dignitaries, senior government officials, industry leaders, academia and technology pioneers for a futuristic one-of-a-kind event.
Over four days of knowledge sharing and collaboration, delegates from across the region and the world will be invited to reimagine the future with the theme “Industry’s Next Chapter: Driving Sustainable Advancement for Global Progress”. This year, through a series of must-attend sessions, the forum will shed light on important chemical industry topics, including “Realizing the GCC Vision”, “Making the Next Quantum Leap” and paving the way “Towards Sustainable Horizons”.
The forum will open its doors on 2 December 2024 with Welcome remarks from Eng. Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh, CEO, SABIC and Chairman, GPCA, followed by a Ministerial address from H.E. Salim bin Nasser bin Said Al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals, Oman. H.E. Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed, President of Electricity & Water Authority (EWA), Bahrain and Chairman of Board of Directors, GPIC, will deliver a special address by the incoming host of the 19th Annual GPCA Forum.
On Day 2, 3 December, Shaikh Nawaf S. Al-Sabah, CEO, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, and Mulham Basheer Al-Jarf, Chairman, OQ, will participate in a special dialogue, followed by a CEOs Plenary keynotes presented by Jim Fitterling, Chair & CEO, Dow, and Dr. Ilham Kadri, CEO, Syensqo.
Other esteemed speakers at this year’s forum include:
- Sanjiv Lamba, CEO, Linde
- Ed Sparks, CEO, W.R. Grace
- Eng. Yasser Al Abbasi, CEO, GPIC
- Jai Shroff, Chairman and Group CEO, UPL
- Federico Zardi, CEO, Casale
- Prof. Christof Rühl, Senior Research Scholar, Center on Global Energy Policy, Columbia University and Global Advisor, Crystol Energy
- Dr. Raja Al Marzoqi, GCC Chief Negotiator
- Dr. Christian Kohlpaintner, Chairman and CEO, Brenntag
- Ahmad Al-Khowaiter, EVP of Technology & Innovation, Aramco
- Nadja Håkansson, CEO, thyssenkrupp Uhde
This year, the forum will feature four leadership dialogues on the topics of sustainability through a new lens, food security, geopolitics & chemicals, and innovation. Building on its 18-year-old legacy as the flagship chemical industry gathering in the region, the Annual GPCA Forum will introduce for the first time the inaugural GPCA Startup Nexus, a brand new GPCA initiative, dedicated to advancing the start-up ecosystem in the region. The 2nd GPCA Solutions Xchange Program, will take place from 3-4 December to provide a platform for innovation, while the GPCA Sustainability Pavilion will showcase the region’s sustainability initiatives for a better world.
The 6th GPCA Legacy Award “Al Rowad” will take place on 2 December to recognize one outstanding regional chemical industry pioneer, who laid the groundwork for the chemical industry in the region. Building on its exceptional success over the last two years, the 3rd GPCA Youth Forum will return from 2-5 December to offer a dynamic platform to the region’s youth to expand their knowledge, network and leave their mark on the chemical industry’s journey to excellence.
Dr. Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun, Secretary General, GPCA, commented: “We look forward to welcoming delegates from across the region and the world to the prestigious Annual GPCA Forum, which this year will take place for the first time in Muscat, Oman. Attracting senior industry leaders from the chemical industry globally, the forum will offer an ideal opportunity to chart the future of the chemical industry in a redefined world, challenge the status quo, and provide an enabling environment for innovation and collaboration. This year, we’ve introduced an array of new initiatives and forum features which have been designed to stimulate conversations and open up new ways of thinking that support the industry’s role in serving society more effectively, contributing to regional economies and creating a smarter, more sustainable future.”
To secure your place, visit: www.gpcaforum.com
About the Gulf Petrochemicals & Chemicals Association
The Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) was established in 2006 to represent the downstream hydrocarbon industry in the Arabian Gulf. Today, the association voices the common interests of more than 250 member companies from the chemical and allied industries, accounting for over 95 percent of chemical output in the GCC. The industry makes up the second largest manufacturing sector in the region, producing over USD 108 billion worth of products every year.
GPCA supports the petrochemical and chemical industry in the Arabian Gulf through advocacy, networking and thought leadership initiatives aimed at helping member companies to connect, share and advance knowledge, contribute to international dialogue, and become prime influencers in shaping the future of the global petrochemicals industry.
Committed to providing a regional platform for stakeholders from around the world, GPCA manages six working committees – Plastics, Supply Chain, Fertilizers, International Trade, Research and Innovation, and Responsible Care – and organizes six world-class events each year. The association also publishes an annual report, regular newsletters and various other industry reports.
For more information, visit www.gpca.org.ae.