Christopher Hudson, president of dmg events, highlights some of the key themes of ADIPEC 2022, taking place from 31 October - 3 November in Abu Dhabi
How is ADIPEC 2022 shaping up in terms of exhibitor and visitor participation etc.?
Despite the impact of COVID-19 last year, ADIPEC 2021 still exceeded expectations, and this year is shaping up to be even bigger. Exhibition spaces have already sold out and a huge number of visitors are registered to attend, with an expected 150,000 energy professionals from over 160 countries.
We’ll be hosting 2,200 exhibiting companies, more than 50 national oil companies and country pavilions. Also, in attendance will be more than 1,200 ministers, CEOs, policymakers, and influencers providing strategic insights across the conferences to 12,000 delegates, 135 of which will be technical sessions on the latest and most innovative forms of energy technology.
The dedicated zones will include offshore and marine, digitalisation in energy, smart manufacturing, and for the first time a decarbonisation zone, reflecting the growing need for decarbonisation strategies in the energy industry.
What role do you think ADIPEC can play in accelerating the industry’s climate commitments and shaping the direction of the global energy transition?
We are at a critical point for energy transition. The energy industry is rapidly evolving and has a long history of successfully adapting to overcome challenges. Today it is committed to proactively identifying and delivering solutions to support net-zero ambitions. Many leading energy companies have made pledges, emission reduction commitments, and are investing in new technologies, but a successful energy transition won’t be achieved by entities acting alone – this is where ADIPEC comes in.
At ADIPEC we convene policymakers, industry experts, business leaders and tech innovators from across the value chain to debate and deliberate on pathways to translate climate pledges into action. It is the place that not only facilitates strategic dialogues, but also expedites synergies between decision-makers, business leaders, and companies that can implement those solutions.
ADIPEC is far more than a trade event, it’s a global platform that gives the oil and gas sector the opportunity to showcase its evolving role in a pragmatic and progressive energy transition. Occurring strategically before COP27 and ahead of COP28 in the UAE, ADIPEC will once again have a real impact on shaping the global energy agenda and the industry’s effort in the energy transition.
Are there any other major themes that will be at the top of the agenda at ADIPEC?
Beyond environmental sustainability, the current energy system is trying to balance energy security and energy equity. This is known as the Energy Trilemma and ADIPEC will be at the centre of finding its solution.
It involves weighing net zero targets against a growing global population, increasing energy requirements and the cost/implementation of reliable energy sources.
The global energy sector needs credible and diverse thought leaders to facilitate the dialogue on these issues and advance an equitable and responsible energy transition. We’re putting security and equity in focus on our agenda through our various leadership perspectives, opinion and live sessions and strategic panel sessions, providing an opportunity for industry leaders to participate in the path toward a flexible and resilient energy transition.
You introduced the smart manufacturing zone and conference last year; how does it tie in with the UAE’s industrial strategy, and how does it reflect the changing relationship of energy and manufacturing?
In 2021, the UAE launched its industrial strategy, Operation 300bn, which aims to develop the UAE’s industrial sector and enhance its role in stimulating the national economy. This strategy not only supports, but actively pushes forward the UAE’s commitment to advancing sustainable economic growth, deploying clean energy solutions, driving industrial innovation, and promoting responsible consumption and production. As such, three sectors lie at the heart of this ambition: the energy industry, innovative technologies, and manufacturing.
The purpose of ADIPEC’s Smart Manufacturing Exhibition and Conference is to bridge the gap between the energy, manufacturing, and high-tech sectors. These three sectors need to be deeply interconnected to facilitate knowledge sharing and create new cross-sector dynamics to advance a strategy of economic and environmental sustainability. By providing leading local, regional, and global manufacturers the opportunity to engage with energy decision makers and vice versa, ADIPEC plays an agenda-setting role for the next successful phase of growth in both the energy and manufacturing industries.
How do you think ADIPEC will advance the debate and showcase the latest in technology innovation?
Technologies such as augmented and virtual reality, advanced composites, robotics, and nanotechnologies have helped the industry move towards more sustainable and resilient smart ecosystems. These technologies, among many others, will be the essence of the Smart Manufacturing Exhibition and Conference.
Highlighting technological advances and innovation remains at the core of ADIPEC’s goal to drive change across the industry and provide the sector with a competitive edge by transforming the value chain. As such, the 2022 event will host leading industry experts and high-tech companies and support them in strengthening existing business partnerships and forming new models of cross-sector collaboration. The discussions around innovative technological solutions are the drivers of innovation.
Are there any other ADIPEC highlights or features that you would like to mention?
The Decarbonisation Zone is an important new addition that reflects the growing need for decarbonisation strategies in the energy industry. The platform will promote ideas, collaboration and showcase the latest innovations as we drive towards cleaner energy and the development of low carbon practices.
The Decarbonisation Theatre will provide an adjacent space for leading industry innovators and solution providers to discuss issues and engage in high-level thought leadership.
The programme includes sessions aimed at providing the latest innovations that will enable all stakeholders to address the growing demand for green solutions, attract strategic partnerships and cross-industry participation, generate funding mechanisms, and convert innovative ideas into a practical solution towards leading a cleaner energy future.
Find more information on the ADIPEC website here.
