ADIPEC 2026 opened in Abu Dhabi, bringing together global leaders from energy, government, finance and technology, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, to examine how resilient energy systems, infrastructure investment, artificial intelligence and international partnership can strengthen energy security and support future economic growth. Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, in his capacity as Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and hosted by ADNOC, ADIPEC 2026 marks the largest edition in the event's history, with an expected 239,000 participants from more than 170 countries, 2,260 exhibitors, 30 country pavilions, four specialised zones and more than 1,800 speakers across 380+ conference sessions. In his keynote address, H.E. Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and ADNOC Managing Director and Group CEO, said the global energy industry must fundamentally rethink how it builds, protects and delivers secure energy, following a year of unprecedented disruption that has exposed critical vulnerabilities in international supply chains. He said since the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, nearly one billion barrels of crude have been drained from inventories. Sam Altman described abundant, reliable energy as critical to unlocking the next wave of AI-driven innovation and economic growth, with the UAE embodying forward-looking adoption. Opening-day discussions highlighted the growing importance of supply resilience, intelligent energy systems and long-term investment in meeting