GCC Economies in an Era of Energy Transition – Third ERF GCC Conference
FromOct 30, 2023 To Oct 31, 2023
Saudi Arabia
This conference is the third since the launch of the GCC Economic Research Initiative (GCCERI) in 2019. This strategic partnership was built around a network of GCC-based public policy institutions, universities and GCC-focused researchers within the ERF research community that share ideas and collaborate on policy-oriented research. The GCCERI works on advancing economic research capacities in the GCC region by bridging knowledge gaps and addressing the region’s major economic and human development challenges.
This conference is hosted by the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC) in Riyadh during the fall of 2023. It aims to build on the previous two events and to solidify GCCERI as a regular platform for research and policy dialogue. The conference will mainly focus on diversification challenges and opportunities within the hydrocarbon sector in the light of the looming risks of stranded assets, but also the potential for integrating the hydrocarbon sector into the emerging decarbonization and energy transition regime. Moreover, the conference will also address other associated research and policy agenda, including the macroeconomic impacts of diversification and energy transition; as well as the implications of energy transition on the private sector and labor markets of the region.
The inaugural conference was launched during a two-day conference, at the College of Economics and Political Science of Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, which highlighted the economic achievements of the GCC countries during the last four decades. The GCCERI network met again virtually in March 2021 for a two-day event that discussed the economic repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on GCC countries and explored policy responses and lessons toward more efficient and resilient GCC economies.
Read more:
- The Saudi Economy in an Era of Energy Transition, by Dr. Majid A. Al-Moneef, ERF Senior Fellow, Chairman, Saudi Association for Energy Economics.
- The Economic Research Forum and the GCC Initiative | English | Arabic
- Download Full Conference Agenda
Agenda
Opening & Plenary 1 - Energy Transition and the GCC Future Development Strategy
Date
30/10/2023
Location
KAPSARC - Saudi Arabia
Time
From 9:30 am To 11:00 am
The GCC economies had to deal with some strategic tradeoffs presented by the energy transitions and the decarbonization agenda. On one hand, if they perceive the pace of energy transition to be fast they might opt for accelerating their oil extraction to avoid being left with stranded assets. This strategy will eventually lead to low oil prices that will eventually fall below the breakeven oil price for GCC fiscal balances. Instead, should they reckon that the energy transition will likely take longer, they might target high oil rents through a strategy of coordinated management of supply. The underside risk entailed under this strategy will likely be the acceleration of the energy transition. However, energy transition itself may provide opportunities for a possibly more sophisticated, hybrid hydrocarbon-cum- renewable energy management strategy that would evolve over time toward achieving the full decarbonization agenda. Moreover, though strategies to decarbonize oil and gas production entail additional costs, which may reduce oil rents. However, they can transform the oil and gas industry from focusing only on generating rent to generating value and realizing profit margins, especially if they adopt various strategies to secure crude oil export outlets and hedge against oil demand reductions.
Speakers
![Ibrahim Elbadawi](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2021/02/1612775629_391_67220_nl_ib-150x150.png)
Research Fellows
Ibrahim Elbadawi
Managing Director, Economic Research Forum
![Saad Al Qarni](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2023/10/1698307209_162_92580_nl_saadalqarni-150x150.png)
Speakers
Saad Al Qarni
Vice President of Finance and Operations, KAPSARC
![Fatima Al Shamsi](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2021/03/1614593211_425_71478_nl_fatmashamsi-150x150.png)
Speakers
Fatima Al Shamsi
Former Deputy Executive Director for Administrative Affairs...
![Majid A. Al-Moneef](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2015/12/1610967172_349_80856_nl_moneef-150x150.png)
Research Fellows
Majid A. Al-Moneef
Chairman of the International Advisory Committee of...
![Atif Kubursi](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2015/12/AtifKubursi-150x150.jpg)
Research Fellows
Atif Kubursi
Professor, McMaster University
![Nouf Nassir AlSharif](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2021/03/1614590622_638_53079_nl_noufnassiralsharif-150x150.png)
Speakers
Nouf Nassir AlSharif
Managing Director, Research Department, Jadwa Investment
![Wael Almazeedi](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2023/09/1697703733_771_70455_nl_waelalmazeedi-150x150.png)
Speakers
Wael Almazeedi
Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Avance Labs
Videos
Parallel Session - Fiscal and Monetary Aspects of Energy Transitions
Date
30/10/2023
Location
KAPSARC - Saudi Arabia
Time
From 11:30 am To 1:00 pm
Speakers
![Raja M. Almarzoqi](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2021/11/1698311286_859_57863_nl_rajaalmarzoqi-150x150.png)
Authors
Raja M. Almarzoqi
GCC Chief Negotiator, the Chief Economic Advisor...
![Assil El Mahmah](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2017/11/1694936221_177_107651_assilelmahmahphoto-150x150.jpg)
Authors
Assil El Mahmah
Economic Advisor, Ministry of Economy and Planning...
![Bedri Kamil Onur Tas](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2015/12/1599641138_905_87520_nl_bedrikamilonurta-150x150.png)
Research Fellows
Bedri Kamil Onur Tas
Associate Professor of Economics, College of Economics...
Papers
Does Accelerating the Energy Transition Affect Fiscal Sustainability in GCC Countries?
This paper examines the sustainability of fiscal policy in GCC countries, by exploring governments’ reaction... Read More
Presentations
Videos
Energy Transitions, Growth and Economic Diversification
Date
30/10/2023
Location
KAPSARC - Saudi Arabia
Time
From 11:30 am To 1:00 pm
Speakers
![Atif Kubursi](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2015/12/AtifKubursi-150x150.jpg)
Research Fellows
Atif Kubursi
Professor, McMaster University
![Héla Miniaoui](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2015/12/1694081806_441_76344_nl_helaminiaoui-150x150.png)
Research Fellows
Héla Miniaoui
Associate Professor, Lusail University, Qatar
![Zouhair Mrabet](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2019/05/Zouhair-Mrabet-150x150.jpeg)
Research Fellows
Zouhair Mrabet
Associate Professor, College of Business and Economics,...
![Mouyad Alsamara](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2019/05/1600000131_562_93441_nlmouyadalsamara-150x150.png)
Research Fellows
Mouyad Alsamara
Associate Professor of Economics, College of Business...
Special Panel Session (A) - Renewable energies in GCC and the diversification of the economy
Date
30/10/2023
Location
KAPSARC - Saudi Arabia
Time
From 2:00 pm To 3:30 pm
Speakers
![Fatima Al Shamsi](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2021/03/1614593211_425_71478_nl_fatmashamsi-150x150.png)
Speakers
Fatima Al Shamsi
Former Deputy Executive Director for Administrative Affairs...
![Radia Sedaoui](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2023/09/1695051844_758_73375_nl_radiasedaoui-150x150.png)
Speakers
Radia Sedaoui
Chief Energy Section, Sustainable Development Policies Division,...
![Aaisha Al-Sarihi](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2023/09/1695034356_316_38409_nl_aishaalsarihi-150x150.png)
Speakers
Aaisha Al-Sarihi
Research Fellow, National University of Singapore’s Middle...
![Ahmed Albalawi](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2023/09/1694420448_920_75107_nl_ahmedalbalawi-150x150.png)
Speakers
Ahmed Albalawi
Lead (Utilities & Renewables), KAPSARC
Videos
Special Panel (B) - The potential of energy efficiency in GCC countries
Date
30/10/2023
Location
KAPSARC - Saudi Arabia
Time
From 2:00 pm To 3:30 pm
Speakers
![Omar Ahmad Yusuf Al-Ubaydli](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2017/05/1610971063_900_78408_nl_omarubaydli-150x150.png)
Research Fellows
Omar Ahmad Yusuf Al-Ubaydli
Director of Research, Derasat, Bahrain
![Marcello Contestabile](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2023/09/1695034565_972_59319_nl_marcellocontestabile-150x150.png)
Speakers
Marcello Contestabile
Chief Economist, Qatar Environment and Energy Research...
![Talal Al-Aulaqi](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2023/10/1697706568_309_47027_nl_talalalaulaqi-150x150.png)
Speakers
Talal Al-Aulaqi
SPE Oman Section Technical Director
![Qais Alsuwaidi](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2023/09/1695034758_785_67364_nl_qaisalsuwaidi-150x150.png)
Speakers
Qais Alsuwaidi
Vice President Sustainability, Abu Dhabi National Energy...
Special Panel (C) - Macroeconomic agenda for decarbonization and energy transitions
Date
30/10/2023
Location
KAPSARC - Saudi Arabia
Time
From 4:00 pm To 5:30 pm
Speakers
![Ibrahim Elbadawi](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2021/02/1612775629_391_67220_nl_ib-150x150.png)
Research Fellows
Ibrahim Elbadawi
Managing Director, Economic Research Forum
![Klaus Schmidt-Hebbel](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2015/12/Klaus-Schmidt-Hebbel-scaled-150x150.jpg)
Authors
Klaus Schmidt-Hebbel
Professor of Economics at Universidad del Desarrollo
![Majid A. Al-Moneef](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2015/12/1610967172_349_80856_nl_moneef-150x150.png)
Research Fellows
Majid A. Al-Moneef
Chairman of the International Advisory Committee of...
Special Panel (D) - Labor markets and private sector focus
Date
30/10/2023
Location
KAPSARC - Saudi Arabia
Time
From 4:00 pm To 5:30 pm
Speakers
![Hala Abou-Ali](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2015/12/1620575316_163_88712_nl_halaabouali-150x150.png)
Research Fellows
Hala Abou-Ali
Professor of Economics, Faculty of Economics and...
![Ismail Radwan](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2023/09/1694421212_692_59596_nl_ismailradwan-150x150.png)
Speakers
Ismail Radwan
Lead Public Sector Specialist, Europe and Central...
![Nader Kabbani](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2015/12/1629536650_302_89693_nl_naderkabbani-150x150.png)
Research Fellows
Nader Kabbani
Director of Research and Director of the...
![Zafiris Tzannatos](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2015/12/1681218162_473_42085_nl_zafiristzannatos-150x150.png)
Authors
Zafiris Tzannatos
Senior Fellow, Jordan Strategy Forum
![Ismail H. Genc](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2021/03/1614676880_461_65900_nl_ismailgenc-150x150.png)
Authors
Ismail H. Genc
Professor of Economics, Department of Economics, American...
Videos
Plenary Session 2 - Product Space and within Hydrocarbon diversification potential
Date
30/10/2023
Location
KAPSARC - Saudi Arabia
Time
From 6:00 pm To 7:30 pm
Speakers
![Hamad Altowaijri](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2023/09/1694935693_568_60646_nl_hamadaltowaijri-150x150.png)
Speakers
Hamad Altowaijri
Associate Professor of Economics, College of Business...
![Ricardo Hausmann](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2023/09/1694421777_364_50061_nl_ricardohausmann-150x150.png)
Speakers
Ricardo Hausmann
Rafik Hariri Professor of the Practice of...
![Christian Haefke](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2023/09/1694422015_731_56582_nl_christianhaefke-150x150.png)
Speakers
Christian Haefke
Program Head of MSc in Economics; Professor...
![Hamid Eltgani Ali](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2019/05/1694077857_646_56932_nl_hamidali-150x150.png)
Research Fellows
Hamid Eltgani Ali
Dean, School of School of Public Administration...
Presentations
Videos
Agenda
Plenary 3 - Innovation and technological change in GCC hydrocarbon sector
Date
31/10/2023
Location
KAPSARC - Saudi Arabia
Time
From 9:00 am To 10:30 am
Speakers
![Yousef Hamad Al-Ebraheem](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2015/12/dr.yousif-150x150.jpg)
Research Fellows
Yousef Hamad Al-Ebraheem
Former Minister of Finance, Kuwait
![Adel Ben Youssef](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2015/12/1600590237_443_75058_nl_adelyoussef-150x150.png)
Research Fellows
Adel Ben Youssef
Professor of Economics, University Côte d'Azur
![Nathalie Hilmi](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2023/09/1694582228_162_85015_nl_nathaliehilmi-150x150.png)
Speakers
Nathalie Hilmi
Specialist in Macroeconomics and International Finance
Special Session on Kuwait
Date
31/10/2023
Location
KAPSARC - Saudi Arabia
Time
From 11:00 am To 12:30 pm
Speakers
![Abdulmajeed Alshatti](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2023/10/1697705607_244_78812_nl_abdulmajeedalshatti-150x150.png)
Speakers
Abdulmajeed Alshatti
Supreme Petroleum Council, Kuwait
![Husam Arman](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2023/09/1694936026_515_73029_nl_husamarman-150x150.png)
Speakers
Husam Arman
Research Specialist, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research...
![Sulyman Al-Qudsi](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2015/12/sulayman-al-qudsi-150x150.jpg)
Research Fellows
Sulyman Al-Qudsi
Principal Research Specialist, Kuwait Institute for Scientific...
![Ahmad Shareef Alawadhi](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2024/07/1721284552_741_68307_nl_ahmadshareefalawadhi-150x150.png)
Research Associates
Ahmad Shareef Alawadhi
Associate Research Scientist, Kuwait Institute for Scientific...
Climate change and renewable energy
Date
31/10/2023
Location
KAPSARC - Saudi Arabia
Time
From 11:00 am To 12:30 pm
Speakers
![Nader Kabbani](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2015/12/1629536650_302_89693_nl_naderkabbani-150x150.png)
Research Fellows
Nader Kabbani
Director of Research and Director of the...
![Muez Ali](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2023/09/1694939162_145_64671_nl_muezali-150x150.png)
Speakers
Muez Ali
Research and Policy Associate, Earthna: Center for...
Videos
Energy transition and finance
Date
31/10/2023
Location
KAPSARC - Saudi Arabia
Time
From 11:00 am To 12:30 pm
Speakers
![Essahbi Essaadi](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2021/05/1620513027_423_60604_nl_essahbiessaadi_-150x150.png)
Authors
Essahbi Essaadi
University of Manouba
![Ahmed Elsayed](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2019/05/1614590796_363_74306_nl_ahmedalsayed-150x150.png)
Research Fellows
Ahmed Elsayed
Associate Professor of Financial Economics, United Arab...
Plenary 4 - Celebrating excellence and future outlook
Date
31/10/2023
Location
KAPSARC - Saudi Arabia
Time
From 1:00 pm To 3:00 pm
Speakers
![Ibrahim Elbadawi](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2021/02/1612775629_391_67220_nl_ib-150x150.png)
Research Fellows
Ibrahim Elbadawi
Managing Director, Economic Research Forum
![Mahmoud Mohieldin](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2015/12/1610547640_963_51019_nlmm-150x150.jpg)
Senior Associates
Mahmoud Mohieldin
Professor, Department of Economics - Cairo University,...
![Fatih Karanfil](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2019/05/Fatih-Karanfil-150x150.jpeg)
Research Fellows
Fatih Karanfil
Research Fellow, KAPSARC
![Essahbi Essaadi](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2021/05/1620513027_423_60604_nl_essahbiessaadi_-150x150.png)
Authors
Essahbi Essaadi
University of Manouba
![Sulyman Al-Qudsi](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2015/12/sulayman-al-qudsi-150x150.jpg)
Research Fellows
Sulyman Al-Qudsi
Principal Research Specialist, Kuwait Institute for Scientific...
![Moez Ben Tahar](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2015/12/Moez-Ben-Tahar-150x150.jpg)
Authors
Moez Ben Tahar
Assistant Professor Faculty of Economics and Management...