The Carboun Institute convenes a high-level invitation-only dialogue, bringing together policymakers, business leaders, investors, researchers and international partners to take stock of the current landscape of the China–MENA energy and climate cooperation, discuss emerging trends and challenges, and explore pathways for deepening collaboration in support of the region's energy transition and industrial development ambitions. The event will also feature the launch of the Carboun Institute's report assessing the current state of China–MENA renewable energy engagement.
Session 1: China–MENA Climate and Energy Cooperation: Current Trends and Future Outlook
This session presents current trends, investment patterns, and key findings from the Carboun Institute status report. It analyzes the scale and nature of climate and energy cooperation across the region and explores new areas of collaboration and strategic directions that will shape China–MENA energy relations over the next decade.
- Moderator: Dr Neil Quilliam, Associate Fellow at Chatham House
- Dr Ahmed Aboudouh, Director East Asia Unit at the Emirates Policy Center
- Dongmei Chen, Principle Fellow at KAPSARC
- Jemima Oakey, Research Fellow at the Carboun Institute
Session 2: From Projects to Partnerships – Industrial Development and Technology Transfer
This panel discussion explores actionable strategies to strengthen global collaboration through localized manufacturing, resilient supply chain development, workforce upskilling, and joint R&D initiatives.
- Moderator: Hayley Schuler-McCoin, Senior Research Fellow at the Carboun Institute
- Dr Amir Lebdioui, Director of the University of Oxford's TIDE Centre
- Dr Mathias Larsen, Senior Policy Fellow at London School of Economics (LSE) Grantham Research Institute
- Byford Tsang, Senior Policy Fellow at European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR)
Session 3: Energy Transition Finance in MENA
This session presents the landscape of energy transition finance in MENA and examines the role of Chinese finance, multilateral institutions, sovereign investors, and private capital in supporting the region's transition to low-carbon energy systems.
- Moderator: Dr Glada Lahn, Senior Geopolitics, Energy and Climate Lead at Ditchley Park
- Dave Jones, Chief Analyst, Ember
- Costanza Strinati, Manager at the Climate Policy Initiative
- Faris Sulayman, PhD Candidate at LSE