THE upcoming 16th edition of the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (Adipec) will include a business conference that will bring together the entire gas and oil strategic value chains for the first time.

In its debut edition at Adipec, the business conference will take place on the first two days of the main exhibition and conference, November 10 and 11, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec).

Through a series of panel sessions and strategic presentations where delegates and global industry leaders will share knowledge and experience, the business conference will explore a range of commercial topics.

In addition, experts from the world’s largest gas and oil companies will debate issues related to the development of a global energy workforce, focusing on topics such as succession planning, employee retention, and creating and increasing in-country value.

Themed: ‘Energy for all in a Changing World’, Adipec 2013 will take place under the patronage of the UAE President Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Mohammad A Sahoo Al Suwaidi, director, Gas Directorate, Adnoc, and chairman of the Adipec 2013 conference, says: “The business conference is a critical new addition to the biggest hydrocarbon event in the region. With the business landscape for gas and oil undergoing a phase of evolution, the creation of a platform that allows for knowledge transfer between leading industry strategists will enable businesses to stay ahead of the curve and maximise potential opportunities.”

“Several high-profile and respected international CEOs have already confirmed participation in the discussions and we are confident that the business conference will serve as one of the most important components of this year’s Adipec.”

A ministerial panel, at which policy leaders will debate topics such as future energy security and the need for robust domestic energy policies to stablise local supply with international demand, underscores the importance of the conference and of Abu Dhabi’s role as both a global energy hub, and a seat of intellectual debate for the industry’s most influential executives.

More than 30 global and regional business leaders and government ministers are set to speak at the conference.

Claire Pallen, Adipec 2013 conference director, says: “The Middle East is an international focal point for the hydrocarbon industry – a fact that is reflected in the strong attendance list for our first business conference. However, given the commonality of the business challenges and opportunities, the content of the discussions will be entirely relevant to industry executives and policy makers from all markets across the world.”

“We look forward to meaningful discussions that offer global decision makers a competitive advantage and we urge regional decision makers and industry professionals to participate in this important debate.”

Some of the heavy weight international CEO speakers who have confirmed to participate include Bob Dudley, CEO, BP; Toshiaki Kitamura, president and CEO, Inpex; Moon Kyu Suh, president and CEO, Knoc; Igor Sechin, president and CEO, Rosneft; Peter Voser, CEO, Shell ; Abdelhamid Zerguine, CEO, Sonatrach; Helge Lund, CEO, Statoil; Carl Sheldon, CEO, Taqa and Christophe de Margerie, CEO, Total.

The business conference schedule will begin with an opening ceremony and a grand tour followed by a Minister panel discussion and CEO panel discussion on first hand global insights.