EU and Saudi Arabia Unite for a Resilient Energy Future: Bridging Policy and Practice for Sustainable Growth

The King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC), in collaboration with the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, hosted a high-level workshop titled “Bridging Policy and Practice: EU-KSA Cooperation for a Secure Energy Future” at KAPSARC’s headquarters in Riyadh.

The event brought together European and Saudi business leaders, senior officials, and energy experts to discuss pathways for strengthening bilateral energy cooperation. Key topics included energy security, resilient supply chains, and the global energy transition.

KAPSARC President Fahad Alajlan inaugurated the workshop, emphasizing the Center’s role in facilitating data-driven dialogue across regions and sectors. “KAPSARC’s role is to build bridges between ideas, regions, and sectors,” Alajlan stated. “That’s why our work will always be data-driven, helping policymakers navigate increasingly complex global dynamics.” He also underscored the Center’s deepening engagement with European institutions, referencing recent workshops in Brussels as part of its international outreach.

H.E. Christophe Farnaud, EU Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman, reaffirmed the importance of pragmatic partnerships in today’s evolving energy landscape, noting that both regions stand to benefit from closer collaboration.

Delivering the keynote address, Ditte Juul-Jørgensen, Director-General for Energy at the European Commission, described the EU-Saudi energy partnership as both essential and timely. “This partnership is a shared commitment to building a resilient, interconnected and sustainable energy future,” she said. “The EU and Saudi Arabia bring complementary strengths that, when united, can help secure global energy stability.”

The workshop featured a panel discussion with representatives from KAPSARC, Électricité de France (EDF), and ACWA Power. Panelists highlighted strategic priorities for enhancing cooperation in key areas such as renewable energy, hydrogen development, critical minerals, and emerging technologies. Experts stressed that the EU and Saudi Arabia are uniquely positioned to support one another in accelerating the energy transition.

The workshop marks another milestone in the ongoing EU-KSA dialogue, aimed at forging long-term energy solutions through shared expertise and mutual investment.