Regional and international leaders will explore the future of sustainability, safety, and digital transformation in the chemical sector at the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) 6th Responsible Care Conference will take place next week in Manama, Bahrain.

Held under the theme “The Future of Responsible Care: Intelligent. Transparent. Resilient.”, the conference will feature a dynamic three-day programme including keynote addresses, strategic panels, technical sessions, and workshops. ‘

The event, at the Sheraton Bahrain Hotel, will open on October 13 with pre-conference sessions on best practices in contractor management, followed by a Responsible Care implementation workshop led by Daniel Roczniak, Senior Director, Responsible Care, American Chemistry Council.

The main conference will commence on October 14 with an opening address by Khalid Al Alyani, VP, Global EHSS, SABIC, and Vice-Chairman, GPCA, Responsible Care Committee, followed by an inaugural address by Dr. Abdulrahman Jawahery, CEO, Bapco Refining. A fireside chat titled “From Incident to Industry Leadership through Responsible Care” will feature Khalid Al Dawood, MD and CEO, NATPET, and Mitchell Toomey, VP Sustainability and Responsible Care, American, Chemistry Council. 

The conference will continue on October 15 with a dedicated session on cybersecurity led by Naofel Nasim, VP Cyber Risk, Marsh, and Peter Clayton, Dubai Energy Engineering Hub Leader, Marsh A leadership masterclass led by Alfredo Karam, Principal Consultant – Leadership and Culture Transformation Practitioner, dss+, will offer delegates insights on how to foster a safety culture in the modern world. 

According to the GPCA Performance Metrics report, in 2024 GPCA members reported a 33% reduction in Tier 1 process safety incidents, a 9% drop in hazardous waste intensity, and total GHG emissions falling below 100 million metric tons of CO₂ equivalent, a testament to the region’s commitment to environmental stewardship and operational excellence.

Dr Abdulwahab Al Sadoun, Secretary General, GPCA, commented: “This year’s GPCA Responsible Care Conference reflects the chemical industry’s unwavering commitment to continuous improvement, innovation, and transparency. As we navigate a rapidly evolving landscape, Responsible Care remains our guiding compass, empowering companies to lead with purpose, embrace digital transformation, and build a safer, more sustainable future for generations to come.”

The conference will feature the 4th GPCA Responsible Care Excellence Awards, honouring companies and individuals for outstanding achievements in Responsible Care, alongside the 2nd GPCA Carbon Neutrality Cup, which will recognise exceptional senior undergraduate and postgraduate students from STEM disciplines across the GCC for their innovative contributions toward a net-zero future.