Experts debate Arab energy security

RIYADH: Arab experts here on Tuesday discussed energy security and its impact on the overall security of the region.
Hosted by Naif Arab University for Security Sciences, 130 professionals and specialists attended the high-profile event.
They represented the ministries of interior, petroleum and mineral resources, electricity and water, and research centers from ten Arab countries: Jordan, the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, Egypt and Morocco.
“The event is part of the Faculty of Science and Strategic Management at the university under its 2016 program to address issues concerning the Arab and international arena.
They reflect the concerns of Arab societies in terms of energy security, which has drawn global attention,” said Jamaan Raqoush, the university rector. He pointed out that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif has given top priority to the issue of energy security.
In line with his directive, the university is organizing seminars and workshops on energy and security issues in cooperation with reputed international institutions.
He also referred to the strategic cooperation agreement that was signed with the International Atomic Energy Agency for a joint project on a specialized academic programs concerning nuclear security to be included in the curricula of the university.
The first session of the forum highlighted a paper on the Jordanian experience in the use of renewable energy in power generation. It was presented by former Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Wael Said Sabri.
In the field of energy security, the UAE, represented by Anthony Hechanova, head of advanced energy technologies in Abu Dhabi, shared the emirate’s experience, while Emad Abu Al-Neaj, head of the electricity department of energy management at the Arab League, dealt with “diversity of energy and its impact sources on the future energy security of the Arab world.”