The 5th Energy & Sustainability Forum (ESF) Mena, a leading platform for industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers, is set to take place in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia, focusing on driving the future of energy and sustainability in the Middle East, with a particular emphasis on digitalisation and AI.

From October 20-22, 2025, an influential group of energy leaders will gather to explore strategies and technologies aimed at efficiently and profitably reducing emissions and the carbon intensity of downstream sectors’ assets, processes, and products.

The event will feature several highlights, including pre-conference seminars hosted by Wood and Plant.Digital.

It will also include interactive panel discussions, such as the Keynote Executive Panel titled Advancing the Mena Advantage, featuring confirmed and invited panellists from organisations like Aramco, Sabic, Satorp, OQ, Wood, and Axens.

Other panels include the Digitalisation & AI Panel: Breaking the Barriers, with confirmed and invited panellists from Aramco, Sipchem, AIQ, Plant.Digital, Wood, and KBC (a Yokogawa Company), as well as a panel called Decarbonisation Panel: The Middle East’s Time to Shine, featuring confirmed and invited panellists from Aramco, Adnoc, Enowa, and the Saudi Investment Recycling Company (SIRC).

Additionally, a market overview will be presented by industry expert S&P Global Commodity Insights, along with producer case studies from Aramco.

The forum will cover technology-focused topics such as digitalisation and AI applications for efficiency, renewable fuels and technology pathways, and circular solutions and advanced recycling technologies, among others.

The event will also include a Lunch & Learn session aimed at empowering young engineers and various networking opportunities with international licensors, technology providers, and digital solutions experts.

To ensure a forward-thinking and relevant agenda for ESF Mena 2025, an Advisory Committee Meeting was held with senior industry executives from companies like Aramco, Borouge, and TotalEnergies.

They discussed the challenges and opportunities driving the region’s sustainability and decarbonisation agenda.

Key takeaways from the meeting included the need for regional competitive advantages to shape decarbonisation strategies, the alignment of regulations and incentives to drive sustainability initiatives, and the significant investment required in education and training for new green technologies.

Furthermore, AI and digitalisation were recognised as crucial near-term opportunities for improving efficiency and reducing emissions in existing assets.

This year’s forum comes at a pivotal moment for the region’s refining, petrochemicals, and energy sectors, which are positioned to lead in low-carbon innovation, circular solutions, and industrial transformation, aligned with national visions such as Saudi Vision 2030 and the UAE Net Zero 2050 initiative.