GCC Secretary General to Deliver Opening Address at 20th Annual GPCA Forum in Dubai

Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), will deliver the opening address at the 20th Annual GPCA Forum, organised by the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) from November 22 to 24 at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai.

The forum will bring together policymakers and regional and international chemical industry leaders to examine how the sector can strengthen resilience, improve competitiveness and generate sustainable long-term value for the Gulf region and beyond.

Held under the theme “Persistence with Purpose: Built to Endure,” the 20th edition marks two decades of the forum as a platform for industry dialogue and collaboration. This year's event comes amid geopolitical shifts, changing trade patterns, supply chain disruptions and evolving policy environments that are reshaping global value chains and creating new challenges for chemical businesses.

The programme will feature chemical industry chief executives, policymakers, technology and logistics providers, consultants and young professionals discussing how the sector can navigate uncertainty while sustaining growth and innovation.

GCC Secretary General to Open Day One

The main programme begins on November 23 with a welcome address by Dr Faisal AlFaqeer, GPCA Chairman and CEO and Executive Board Member of SABIC. AlBudaiwi will then deliver the opening address, focusing on the conditions needed to build enduring and resilient businesses.

A CEO plenary will feature Aloke Lohia, Founder and Group CEO of Indorama Ventures, and Ashraf Al Mamari, CEO of OQ Group. The discussion will examine leadership priorities for 2027 and opportunities to rebuild and reposition the industry at a pivotal moment.

Eren Cetinkaya, Distinguished Partner at McKinsey & Company, will deliver a state-of-the-industry keynote examining the changing foundations of resilience in global petrochemicals.

A separate leadership dialogue will bring together Ibrahim A. Al-Rushoud, CEO of SIPCHEM; Jonatas Melo, President of Baystar; and Wassim Al-Khatib, CEO for the Middle East and North Africa and Board Member of Lazard.

Day Two to Focus on Trade and Industry Competitiveness

On November 24, Dr Udo Jung, Senior Advisor at BCG, will present an industry roadmap examining the next sources of competitive advantage.

The programme will also feature a fireside chat with H.E. Dr Nabeel Al Amoudi, Senior Advisor and Vice Chairperson of Olayan Financing Company, on leadership, scale and transformation in the Middle East.

A leadership discussion featuring Naser Aldousari, President and CEO of EQUATE Group, and Ignacio Torras, President and CEO of Tricon Energy, will explore the GCC's strategic role in shaping stability.

Another panel will examine how companies can navigate global trade realignment to strengthen their competitive position. Participants will include H.E. Dr Raja Almarzoqi, Chief Economic Advisor at Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Economy and Planning; Ahmed Alsubaey, CEO and Board Member of Bahri; Ala' Al-Shaikh, Group CEO of Basic Chemical Industries (BCI); and Yogesh Mehta, Founder and Chairman of Petrochem.

Looking towards the industry's next decade, Nicolas Poirot, CEO for Africa, the Middle East, South and Central Asia at Air Liquide, and Jim Seward, Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer at LyondellBasell, will discuss the capabilities and innovation needed to support future growth and resilience.

Pre-Conference Activities to Address Skills and Sustainability

The pre-conference programme on the morning of November 22 will begin with a workshop for young professionals and industry leaders titled “Shaping the Future of Work in the Chemical Industry.” The session will be facilitated by Alvarez & Marsal.

This will be followed by the Women in Chemicals Symposium, held in partnership with McKinsey & Company.

Throughout the event, delegates will also be able to visit the fourth GPCA Solutions Xchange and the GPCA Sustainability Pavilion, which will showcase regional sustainability initiatives and circular solutions.

On the morning of the first day, the eighth GPCA Legacy Award, known as “Al Rowad,” will recognise an outstanding pioneer who helped establish the foundations of the chemical and petrochemical industry in the GCC.

GPCA Highlights Regional Resilience and Collaboration

Mater Aldhafeeri, Secretary General of GPCA, said the region continues to demonstrate its capacity to host major industry gatherings that encourage meaningful dialogue and collaboration, even during challenging periods.

“The Annual GPCA Forum reflects that resilience,” Aldhafeeri said, adding that the association looks forward to welcoming international partners to Dubai in November to exchange perspectives, engage with industry leaders and explore opportunities for collaboration.

He said the forum's theme reflects both the strength of the chemical industry and the region's determination to continue creating value, fostering innovation and building lasting partnerships.

The 20th Annual GPCA Forum will provide a platform for industry stakeholders to discuss the strategic priorities shaping the future of the Gulf's chemical and petrochemical sectors, with a focus on resilience, innovation, trade and long-term competitiveness.