Saudi energy minister says global energy security faces ‘real test’
Baku, October 17, AZERTAC
Global energy security is facing a “real test” amid escalating tensions in the region, Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman warned Monday, stressing that the Kingdom has prepared plans to safeguard supplies before crises emerge, according to Anadolu Agency.
“Global energy today faces a real test, and we have put plans in place to preserve energy security before crises occur,” Prince Abdulaziz said during the 25th WPC Energy Congress in Riyadh.
He made the remarks in his speech at the official inauguration of the four-day congress, which opened Sunday. Saudi Arabia is hosting the event for the first time.
The minister said Saudi Arabia intends to remain a key pillar of global energy security while pursuing its long-term energy strategy.
“Our eyes are focused on what would deliver us into the future -- the future of our sons and daughters and their sons and daughters,” he said in his speech, as cited by a ministry statement.
Riyadh had become a center for discussions on energy security, Prince Abdulaziz said, stressing that Saudi energy policy would continue to focus on long-term objectives rather than short-term pressures.
He said Saudi Arabia will overcome the challenges it faces and continue pursuing its long-term plans and commitments.
“Recent developments in the region and the Kingdom have reinforced that energy security cannot be taken for granted, particularly as supply routes come under pressure and infrastructure is targeted,” he said.
Saudi Arabia has invested for decades in infrastructure, spare capacity, storage, alternative export routes, technology, domestic supply chains and human capabilities, he said.
“Resilience must be built before crises occur,” the minister said.
He added that localization should not be viewed only as an economic objective, but also as “a strategic capability that supports business continuity and recovery when international supply chains are disrupted.”
Prince Abdulaziz said energy-system resilience is measured not only by spare production capacity, pipelines and power-generation capacity, but also “by the ability to maintain, repair, reroute, substitute, recover and continue delivering supplies under pressure.”
He said Saudi Arabia’s ability to withstand disruptions and recover contributes to the reliability of international energy supplies and reinforces its role “as a trusted partner in the global economy.”
“There can be no energy future for all without energy security for all,” he said, stressing that energy security and the transformation of the energy sector should advance together.
The congress, held under the theme “Pathways to an Energy Future for All,” runs from Oct. 11-15 in Riyadh.
More than 25,000 participants are expected to attend, including over 100 ministers and nearly 500 CEOs from 80 countries, according to figures provided by the Saudi Energy Ministry.
The event is held amid escalating hostilities between Saudi Arabia and Houthis in Yemen, with airports and other civilian and energy facilities targeted in recent days.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has also faced disruptions following restrictions Iran imposed on vessel transit in April 2026, after the US and Israel launched a war against Iran in February that year.
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