Curtain raiser video and welcome by master of ceremony

Welcome remarks:

Ministerial address:

Ministerial address:

Incoming Host Address: 18^th Annual GPCA Forum announcement

Al-Rowad: GPCA Legacy Awards ceremony

Exhibition Inauguration

Networking Reception

Registration, welcome coffee and networking

Curtain raiser video and welcome by master of ceremony

Welcome remarks:

Keynote session: ‘2024 Macro Is All About The Landing’

As we move into 2024, the main challenge for global economy is to secure a “soft landing” following a steep rise in interest rates. Central banks appear finished with their tightening cycles and inflation appears to have peaked. Regarding activity, which should slow in response to higher rates, service demand remains strong, labor markets remain resilient, and prices therefore remain sticky. For the next few quarters, it looks like higher for longer rates, but labor markets are the key to the soft landing story. Structural challenges moving the macro needle include: the energy transition (both decarbonizing the fossil system and building out the renewal one) and rising geopolitical tensions and global fragmentation.

In this session we will cover:

1. The relative macro performance of the big three regions: the US, China and Europe.
2. The landing scenarios, including resilience of services spending the weakness of manufacturing.
3. The latest on inflation dynamics, and where central bank rates are heading next.
4. The drivers of the medium-term view including real interest rates and potential growth.
5. Some thoughts on geopolitics, including the rise of the Global South.

CEO keynotes session: A view from the global chemical industry: Scaling up for clean energy transition

There is a growing global consensus that steep GHG emissions reductions are urgently needed.  These reductions must occur in all sectors of the economy.  Fortunately, dramatic reductions in the cost of renewables, can and will lead to large reductions in GHG emissions. However, these reductions do not go far enough to achieve the goal of the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5C by 2030. Parallel to investment in energy efficiency and CO2 capture and storage, the chemical industry is pursuing economically viable routes for energy transition, including: a shift to a circular economy, a partial switch to renewable feedstock such as biomass, renewable hydrogen and CO2, the improvement of energy efficiency in the production process, and the deployment of CCS/CCU in the production process.

The  industry is at the heart of a sweeping transformation. A massive scaling up of investment is also essential in emerging and developing economies if rising demand for energy services is to be met sustainably and climate targets are to be reached. Given the urgency – and the size – of the issue, acceleration of the energy transition is also essential for long-term energy security, price stability and national resilience. Despite some progress, the energy transition is far from being on track, and radical action is needed to change its current trajectory. Through this session, our speakers will share their approach to energy transition and address the following:

• How can we accelerate progress to ensure that we can meet ambitious targets for 2050
• An energy transition strategy is a value creation strategy: How can we zero in on the opportunities the energy transition presents
• Enabling the transition: It requires emerging technologies and a new culture, one that lets you more easily identify—and more quickly seize—new business opportunities.
• Barriers that stand in the way of rapidly building the physical infrastructure that the energy transition requires
• The need of the hour – activate collaboration amongst the ecosystem of stakeholders

Lunch

Solutions XChange

The chemical industry has come a long way since its origins in the 19th century. It has seen many changes in technology, operations, and business models over the years. The pace of change is only increasing! Through these sessions, we bring to you an interactive knowledge sharing platform that will focus on solutions to some of the common challenges we face.

Location: Exhibition area

Click here for more info, https://www.gpcaforum.com/solutions-xchange/

GPCA Procurement Symposium– Facilitated by Kearney

Location: Main plenary

Click here for more info, https://www.gpcaforum.com/gpca-symposium/

Registration and welcome coffee

Welcome remarks by the master of ceremony

CEOs Fireside Chat: Chemical industry’s role in becoming the ultimate ‘hidden climate champion’

Chemicals are part of the fabric of our societies, with as much as 96 percent of everything that is produced needing chemicals. That means, when chemical products become more sustainable, there is a huge multiplier effect. Climate goals are ambitious, and so is the will of our leaders and our industry. This creates a shared responsibility and the biggest companies in chemical industry are racing towards creating solutions for everyday sustainable living.

In this fireside chat, we lead the discussion on how chemistry, materials advancement, and recycling technologies can be a recognized enabler for the circular society and involving cross-sectoral arenas to find the answers to tomorrow’s problems. How do we harness the chemical industry’s potential in fostering a sustainable world – is the big question. In this breakthrough interview, a leading CEO share their insights on:

• Addressing the big question – Chemistry is the key to building a more sustainable future – how do we make this mission a reality?
• How can the commitments from individual partner stakeholders encompassing the entire ecosystem be converted to gain from the biggest opportunities that are out there?
• Un-burdening the “Green premium” – how can we build investments and pricing mechanisms that benefit our core customers, with an eye on future profitability as well?
• What are the opportunities for collaboration in the entire feedstock cycle?
• Looking forward to 2030, how would the role of chemical industry look like in a sustainable world. What’s the difference looking at it from a global angle vs the GCC landscape?

Executive panel: Industry consolidation in chemicals – Evolving during uncertain times

The chemicals market worldwide is already grappling with myriad challenges. Some are fundamental, most notably the moral and regulatory push towards more sustainable practices. Others are more immediate – plummeting demand, disrupted supply chains, falling stock prices, and a changing competitive order. The chemical industry began to consolidate in the 1990s, affecting developed countries. Chemical industry consolidation is likely to develop with the commodity chemicals, agro-chemicals, and construction chemicals industries leading the way. About 20% of industry revenue has changed ownership due to M&A activity over the last decade. Sustainability, technology, and large-scale consolidation are all becoming increasingly important factors in determining how acquisitions are made. Trade restrictions, evolving political climates, and regulatory requirements all play a role in determining how chemical mergers and acquisitions progress.

Speakers will address the M&A landscape and discuss:

• What are the key value drivers for buyers?
• Cross-regional transactions and their notable advantages
• The growing influence of ESG considerations in M&A decisions
• How influential are carve-outs in driving chemicals M&A activity?
• How can chemical companies engage in successful and value-creating transactions?
• M&A as a mechanism to drive strategic transformation and accelerate growth?

Leadership dialogue 1: Future of trade and investments – An engine or impediment for sustainability?

Trade and cross-border investment are crucial drivers of economic growth and development, yet, support for international economic cooperation falters, and existing rules and institutions are strained. There is also a vital need for countries to intensify environmental and climate action. As such, conversations are shifting towards aligning trade and investment with the Sustainable Development Goals. It is incumbent on trade policy-makers to show they can take action on important environmental goals. We will bring together a trusted network of partners and experts from around the world, with a special focus on

• In uncertain times, how can chemical trade continue to support the development agenda and investment facilitation, while addressing the world’s sustainability imperatives?
• What role can the chemical industry play in helping to modernize the WTO?
• How can trade governance be reimagined and redefined to create sustainable, resilient and equitable companies, economies and societies?

Lunch break

Solutions XChange

The chemical industry has come a long way since its origins in the 19th century. It has seen many changes in technology, operations, and business models over the years. The pace of change is only increasing! Through these sessions, we bring to you an interactive knowledge sharing platform that will focus on solutions to some of the common challenges we face.

Location: Exhibition area

Click here for more info, https://www.gpcaforum.com/solutions-xchange/

GPCA Procurement Symposium– Facilitated by Kearney

Location: Main plenary

Click here for more info, https://www.gpcaforum.com/gpca-symposium/

Registration and welcome coffee

Welcome remarks by the master of ceremony

Fireside Chat: Industry Transformation through Clean Energy

In this breakthrough interview, a leading CEO shares his insights on:

• What have we achieved over the past years in the transition to more sustainable energy?
• What technological developments are needed to get to Climate Neutrality, where are we today and what needs to improve?
• How important is governmental support in kicking off the transition and how does Linde see Producer nations shaping up?
• What global challenges do we have in the global supply chains to ensure energy security and way are solutions?
• What trends to we see in the financial industry supporting energy transition and what more is needed?
• What challenges do you see in terms of public acceptance and how to deal with them?
• How do markets react on this transformation and what forming role can regulators play?

Keynote session: Transforming the Industry: The role of AI in Chemistry

The petrochemical industry has long been a cornerstone of the global economy, supplying the raw materials for countless products that we rely on every day. From plastics and fertilizers to pharmaceuticals and textiles, the reach of petrochemicals is vast and varied. However, as the world continues to grapple with the challenges of climate change and resource scarcity, there is a growing need for the industry to evolve and embrace more sustainable and efficient practices. One of the most promising avenues for achieving this transformation is through the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the field of chemistry.AI has the potential to not only streamline existing processes but also to unlock new avenues for innovation and discovery. Through this session we will look at how the adoption of AI in the petrochemical industry will be essential in ensuring a more sustainable and prosperous future for all.

Leadership dialogue 2: Enabling material transformation through innovation

Chemicals and materials are ubiquitous in a modern-day lifestyle. Today’s chemical industry has the unique ability to transform natural resources into formulated products and materials that provide better solutions, differentiation and innovation to both customers and consumers.

Chemical customers are driving and shaping demand, as they increasingly seek more sustainable and/or circular products. Chemical producers can play a crucial role in effectively tackling climate change and for chemical producers to operate in an evolving global geopolitical landscape, there will be a strong need to make fundamental changes. Chemical companies will likely have to plan for numerous challenges, ranging from global inflation to oil price volatility. Thus, causing a strategic shift in the products it manufactures. The industry will need to fundamentally change the way it pursues innovation in order to take advantage of tomorrow’s growth opportunities. Through this session let’s explore trends that will influence the direction of the industry:

• Are current approaches to innovation sufficient for the objectives of tomorrow? What are the policies that will deliver this while protecting consumers?
• How are feedstock prices, energy demand, supply chain, and end-market demand, affecting the appetite for strategic buyers?
• How can innovation play a key role in material transformation to ensure sustained growth?
• How are digital technologies empowering materials innovation to expedite low-cost formulations?
• From lab to market: Is it possible to utilize existing assets to scale-up new materials’ production?

Closing remarks

Lunch