World Energy Congress 2026 to be hosted by Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
The 27th World Energy Congress will take place 26-29 October, 2026.
23 November 2023: The World Energy Council has announced Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as the official host of the 27th World Energy Congress to be held 26-29 October 2026.
The Congress will take place at the Riyadh Front Centre, strategically located in the vibrant heart of the capital and at the centre of one of the world’s most important energy regions.
The award follows a highly competitive bidding process open to all the Council’s 70+ national member committees representing more than 3,000 organisations across the entire energy ecosystem.*
The World Energy Congress, the world’s most prestigious, inclusive and influential energy event, has helped drive energy transitions forward for more than a century by bringing together stakeholders representing energy interests from all corners of the world.
“Saudi Arabia is pleased to have been awarded the opportunity to host the 2026 World Energy Congress at this important moment in global energy. As a century-old gathering, the World Energy Congress holds a special place in the minds and calendars of world energy leaders. As a World Energy Council event, it unites the full range of stakeholders from energy producers through to consumers and all points in-between. Congress participants can expect a world class Congress accompanied by a warm Saudi welcome.” said Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud, Minister of Energy and Chairman of the Saudi Arabia member committee.
“Saudi Arabia’s competitive bid clearly showcased their strategic vision for the World Energy Congress experience which includes strong institutional and government support” said Dr Mike Howard, Chair of the World Energy Council Officers Council. “Our World Energy Congress is the world’s oldest independent energy gathering. The 2026 Congress will celebrate this heritage alongside Saudi Arabia’s vision for the future of energy in today’s changing world”.
“Thank you to the members of our Board who oversaw this meticulous and highly competitive process,” Howard added.
Bringing together 150+ C-suite speakers, 250+ total speakers and 70+ Ministers, and 7000+ international energy stakeholders, the World Energy Congress unifies sectors, generations, geographies, and systems to progress more equitable energy transitions.
“Congratulations to Saudi Arabia for their successful bid to host the 2026 World Energy Congress,” said Dr Angela Wilkinson, Secretary General and CEO of the World Energy Council. “Energy transitions are too important to be left to the energy sector alone. Collaborations are required across all energy interests and that is where the Congress excels. The World Energy Council’s global community, combined with the Kingdom’s visionary leadership, will ensure that the 27th World Energy Congress will compel world energy leadership in making faster, fairer and more far-reaching energy transitions emerge.”
Saudi Arabia will officially become host of the World Energy Congress following the upcoming 26th World Energy Congress, taking place 22-25 April 2024 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Saudi Arabia will host a country pavilion at this prestigious event. Following the April 2024 World Energy Congress, the Congress will move to a two-year cycle.
Find out more about the World Energy Congress at www.worldenergycongress.org.
*Bids are welcome from Member Committees of the World Energy Council as well as organisations representing a city, country or third party, such as a convention bureau, where there is support from a Member Committee. Bidders are assessed through a thorough evaluation process based on their ability to meet comprehensive criteria.
About the World Energy Council
The World Energy Council is the world’s oldest independent and impartial community of energy leaders and practitioners. Through our Humanising Energy vision, we involve more people and communities in accelerating clean and inclusive energy transitions in all world regions. Formed in 1923, the Council is an UN-accredited global energy body that has convened diverse interests from across the full energy ecosystem for a century, and today has over 3,000 member organisations and a presence in more than 100 countries. Our global network draws from governments, private and state corporations, academia and civil society, as well as current and future energy leaders. We collaborate on impact programmes and inform local, regional and global energy agendas in support of our enduring mission: to promote the sustainable use and supply of energy for the benefit of all people. Further details at www.worldenergy.org and on LinkedIn and Twitter.
About the Saudi Arabia Member Committee of the World Energy Council
The Saudi Arabia Member Committee, hosted by the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Energy, under the leadership of the minister of Energy HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud, aims to promote sustainable energy development in Saudi Arabia, as a part of the World Energy Council’s energy vision. As a member of the World Energy Council network, the organisation is committed to representing the Saudi perspective within national, regional and global energy debates. The committee includes a variety of members to ensure that the diverse energy interests of Saudi Arabia are appropriately represented. Members of the committee are invited to attend high-level events, participate in energy-focused study groups, contribute to technical research and be a part of the global energy dialogue.
