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Dii Desert Energy Leadership Summit (15th)

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Thursday

November 6, 2025

8:00 am  

 

Day 1

8:00 am  

 

Registration & Welcome Coffee

8:45 am  

 

Welcome Address: The Clean Energy Pyramid: Socioeconomic Benefits, Secure Information Carriers, Clean Energy Markets and Clean Energy Systems

Paul van Son, President, Dii Desert Energy

9:00 am  

 

Session 1: From Vision to Action - Balancing Speed, Security, Cost, and Emissions Reduction

This opening session explores what should drive clean energy systems and markets. It delves into the evolving business case for climate-neutral energy, examining the right mix of carrots and sticks needed to shape viable markets - from public sector push to market pull, and the critical role of price signals. Key drivers include enabling policies that balance the urgent priorities of speed, energy security, cost-efficiency, and emission reduction. The session also addresses infrastructure, innovation, and water, along with the removal of regulatory barriers to unlock investment and advance economic diversification across the MENA region. 

Chairperson & Moderator: Dan Feldman, Global Head of Energy, King & Spalding

10:30 am  

 

Networking Coffee

11:00 am  

 

Session 2: Implementation at Speed - Overcoming Barriers to Low-Emission Projects

The session focuses on ‘Implementation’, exploring the practical challenges of executing complex energy transition projects in the MENA region at speed and scale. The discussion will address key barriers, including investment constraints, infrastructure limitations, and technology and supply chain challenges. Particular attention will be given to the distorting effect of fossil fuel subsidies, which continue to undermine the competitiveness of renewable energy in MENA countries and globally. 

Chairperson & Moderator: Paddy Padmanathan, Co-Founder & Vice Chairman, Zhero

12:30 pm  

 

Networking Lunch

2:00 pm  

 

Session 3: New Frontiers in the EU-MENA Energy Corridor

This session highlights the strategic, regional, and technological dimensions of the evolving EU MENA energy corridor. The session will also examine how enhanced interconnectivity and energy cooperation between MENA and Europe can contribute to geopolitical resilience, diversification of supply, and risk mitigation in an increasingly volatile global landscape. The discussion will explore cross-border backbone interconnections, localization opportunities, and strategic storage infrastructure. In particular, the panel will go beyond the current short-term cycle battery solutions to address the importance of mid- to long-term storage technologies - crucial for decarbonization, energy security, and long-term market stability. 

Chairperson & Moderator: Frank Wouters, Chair, MENA Hydrogen Alliance

3:30 pm  

 

Networking Coffee

4:00 pm  

 

Session 4: Innovation Frontiers for Net-Zero Energy Systems

This session ‘Innovation’, will explore technologies and innovations propelling the transition to net-zero energy systems. The session will place a particular focus on MENA digital transformation, investments in AI and data centers, exploring how these technologies are being leveraged to enhance environmental sustainability and accelerate the energy transition.

5:45 pm  

 

End of conference Day 1 - Drinks and Dinner reception at Akira Back Terrace hosted by Siemens Energy

Friday

November 7, 2025

8:00 am  

 

Day 2

8:00 am  

 

Registration & Welcome Coffee

8:45 am  

 

Opening Address: Powering Progress – UAE's Strategy for Global Energy Leadership Through Innovation, Partnerships, and Infrastructure Development

9:00 am  

 

Session 5: Hubs of the Future - Integrated Trade and Transport Hubs

Session 5 explores how MENA can leverage its strategic location as a crossroads between Europe and the Far East, along with critical infrastructure - such as ports, airports, and pipelines - to become a green powerhouse and a key net-zero hub for net-zero energy transport and trade. 

Chairperson & Moderator: Alex Sarac, Partner, Addleshaw Goddard

10:30 am  

 

Networking Coffee

11:00 am  

 

Session 6: Channeling Institutional Investments towards Zero-Emission Energy Projects

Session 6 focuses on the ‘Financing’ dimension of the energy transition in the MENA region. It will explore how to mobilize and scale up capital from the region’s sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, and Islamic financial institutions, alongside international institutional investors, to drive greater investment in clean energy. 

Chairperson & Moderator: Siddharth Malik, Managing Partner, Green Investors AG

12:30 pm  

 

Networking Lunch at LIV restaurant

2:00 pm  

 

Session 7: Case Studies Deepdives

This session will feature three in-depth case studies providing attendees with specific insights into the implementation and challenges of various energy projects across the MENA region.

3:30 pm  

 

Networking Coffee

4:00 pm  

 

Session 8: Interactive Roundtables along the Emissions Free Energy Value Chain

Participants will choose three roundtables (30 minutes each) for an intimate and engaged discussion on a particular topic. 

Part I: Introduction of roundtables to the audience (10 min) 
Part II: Audience choose the first roundtable of interest (30 min) 
Part III: Audience change and choose the second roundtable of interest (30 min) 
Part IV: Audience change and choose the third roundtable of interest (30 min) 
Part IV: Moderators wrap up and share key takeaways (20 min): predictions and assessments.

5:30 pm  

 

Closing of the Summit and Farewell Drinks Reception