Speakers at the 6th Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) Responsible Care Conference emphasised the need for a strong safety culture, investing in people, and embracing digital technologies to drive safer, smarter and more sustainable operations.

Held under the theme “The Future of Responsible Care: Intelligent. Transparent. Resilient.” from 13–15 October 2025 at the Sheraton Bahrain Hotel, Manama, the conference has brought together regional and international leaders to explore the future of sustainability, safety, and digital transformation in the chemical sector.

The event commenced with an Opening address by Khalid Al Alyani, VP, Global EHSS, SABIC, and Vice-Chairman, GPCA Responsible Care Committee, who emphasised the importance of advancing a shared vision for excellence in Environment, Health, Safety, and Security (EHSS) across the chemical industry.

 

Al Alyani underscored the significance of Responsible Care® as a global benchmark for EHSS leadership and called upon the industry to uphold its values in their journey to continuous improvement and responsible growth.

 

Delegates heard from Dr Abdulrahman Jawahery, CEO, Bapco Refining, who delivered the inaugural address, highlighting the paramount role of environmental protection, health, safety and security in shaping the future of the petrochemical industry.

 

In his remarks, Dr Jawahery urged leaders to embrace an intelligent, transparent and resilient culture that not only meets regulatory expectations but also earns the trust of their communities and stakeholders.

 

A fireside chat titled “From Incident to Industry Leadership through Responsible Care” featured Khalid Al Dawood, MD and CEO, NATPET, and Mitchell Toomey, VP Sustainability and Responsible Care, American Chemistry Council.

 

Throughout Day 1, speakers highlighted the importance of taking bold steps in reinventing companies’ operations by embracing digital transformation, upskilling teams in AI and emerging technologies, and accelerating the deployment of innovative solutions to gain competitive advantage.

 

Emphasis was placed on optimising human performance, with experts highlighting that 80–90 per cent of incidents stem from human factors. Discussions underscored the critical role of transformational leadership in building trust and fairness, and the importance of fostering a strong safety culture to drive safety behaviors.

 

The conference will continue tomorrow, 15 October, 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.

 

Dr Abdulwahab Al Sadoun, Secretary General, GPCA, commented: “As the conference unfolds, it is clear that Responsible Care is more than a commitment, it is a catalyst for transformation. The insights shared so far underscore the industry’s readiness to lead with integrity, embrace innovation, and drive meaningful change across the value chain. I thank all for their valuable insights and participation and look forward to continuing these important conversations over the next two days.” -OGN/ TradeArabia News Service