The Manama Dialogue 2023, the 19th Regional Security Summit, concluded today with two plenary sessions on energy security and the future of the region.
Over 450 political, military, security, and academic figures from 40 countries participated in the event, organised by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and attended by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
The plenary session on “The Politics of Energy Security” was moderated by Dr. Bastian Giegerich, Director-General and Chief Executive of IISS.
The speakers included Jassim Al Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC); Osama Mubarez as Secretary General of the East Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF); Amos J. Hochstein, the US Special Presidential Coordinator for Global Infrastructure and Energy Security; and Thanos Dokos, Greek National Security Advisor.
The GCC’s Secretary-General cited the OPEC’s recently released World Outlook which predicted energy demand expanding by 23% increase in energy demand between now and 2045, with the oil industry expected to have an investment requirement of $14 trillion until 2045.
The secretary-general emphasised the need for an broad global alliance to prevent energy supply disruptions, highlighting the importance of strengthening international cooperation and protecting energy infrastructure and transmission routes and confronting potential threats.
He affirmed the need for a long-term vision to ensure energy security irrespective of current conflicts and foster cooperation between consumers and producers.
The second session on the Future Middle East, also moderated by Dr. Giegrich, brought together Emile Hokayem, Senior Fellow for Middle East security in the IISS; Rym Momtaz, Consultant Research Fellow for European Foreign Policy and Security at the IISS; Dr. Hasan Alhasan, Research Fellow for Middle East Policy at the IISS; and John Wren, Senior Geopolitical Due Diligence Advisor.
The session focused on the region’s future security and geopolitical due diligence.
BNA(R)
