MENA Renewable Energy Investments to Exceed $1 Trillion by 2030

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is expected to attract over $1 trillion in renewable energy investments by 2030, paving the way for new industries, job creation, and increased collaboration, according to Mark Thomas, Group CEO of Bapco Energies.

Thomas delivered the keynote address at the third edition of the Sustainability Forum Middle East, which commenced in Bahrain yesterday. The forum, held under the patronage of Oil and Environment Minister and Special Envoy for Climate Affairs Dr. Mohammed Bin Daina, focuses on the region’s role in advancing global climate change efforts and strengthening energy resilience.

Highlighting MENA’s potential to lead in sustainable energy solutions, Thomas stressed the importance of partnerships in driving climate action. “Partnerships between nations, industries, and institutions are the backbone of global climate action,” he stated at the event, hosted at Crowne Plaza, Manama.

Forum Highlights Regional Decarbonisation Strategies

The two-day forum has gathered over 400 regional and international decision-makers, business leaders, and sustainability experts to explore strategies for aligning business models with climate action, scaling climate finance, enhancing policy and regulatory frameworks, fostering innovation, and accelerating technological progress.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Bin Daina emphasized the forum’s growing local, regional, and international impact. He reaffirmed Bahrain’s commitment to supporting sustainability initiatives and fostering international cooperation in addressing climate change.

“Collaboration, investment, and decisive action are essential to accelerating the energy transition and achieving decarbonisation goals in MENA,” he stated. He also underscored the need for enhanced cooperation and knowledge exchange to address climate change challenges while ensuring adherence to international sustainability agreements.

Expert-Led Discussions and Workshops

The forum’s first day featured interactive panel discussions with over 50 distinguished speakers from MENA, Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States, Brazil, and other regions. These discussions covered key topics critical to achieving regional net-zero ambitions.

The second day will host a series of specialized workshops led by global consultants and regional firms specializing in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) advisory and sustainability. These sessions aim to equip participants with the necessary tools and expertise to develop sustainability strategies, enhance climate-related financial disclosures, and advance decarbonisation initiatives.

The event is expected to conclude with actionable recommendations to further MENA’s sustainability agenda and accelerate the region’s clean energy transition.