Several prominent energy executives were removed from the agenda of the WPC Energy Congress in Riyadh, as Saudi authorities continued with the event despite recent deadly attacks on the capital attributed to Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis. The CEOs of ExxonMobil, TotalEnergies, Shell, Chevron, and BP, who were expected to attend, were no longer listed in the conference schedule released on Monday.
Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman acknowledged the concerns surrounding safety, expressing gratitude to those who traveled to Riyadh. He emphasized that, while the gathering signifies the kingdom’s commitment to safety, the risks remain significant. The recent strikes pose a challenge to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative, aimed at diversifying the economy away from oil and promoting the kingdom as a hub for investment and tourism.
The WPC Energy Congress, initially planned for April, was postponed due to geopolitical tensions. This marks the first time the event, established in 1933, is being hosted in Saudi Arabia. Major energy company executives typically attend to discuss critical topics such as global oil markets and energy security, but travel disruptions have hindered participation from some key figures. The congress is taking place close to Riyadh’s international airport, which has faced multiple attacks recently, resulting in casualties.
