KAPSARC and the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia recently organized a significant workshop titled “Bridging Policy and Practice: EU-KSA Cooperation for a Secure Energy Future” at KAPSARC. The event gathered European and Saudi business leaders, senior officials, and experts to discuss ways to enhance energy ties between the EU and Saudi Arabia.

During the workshop, participants focused on shared priorities including energy security, supply chain resilience, and the energy transition. KAPSARC President Fahad Alajlan opened the discussions by emphasizing the Center’s mission and the importance of the EU-Saudi relationship in the current global context. He stated, “KAPSARC’s role is to build bridges between ideas, regions, and sectors,” highlighting the necessity of data-driven work to help policymakers navigate complex global dynamics.

H.E. Christophe Farnaud, the EU Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman, pointed out the strategic value of pragmatic partnerships, especially given the volatile energy environment. In her keynote address, Ditte Juul-Jørgensen, Director-General for Energy of the Directorate-General for Energy (DG ENER) at the European Commission, described the partnership as crucial. She remarked, “This partnership is a shared commitment to building a resilient, interconnected and sustainable energy future.” Juul-Jørgensen noted that the EU and Saudi Arabia possess complementary strengths that can contribute to global energy stability.

A panel discussion included experts from KAPSARC, Électricité de France (EDF), and ACWA Power, who explored strategic priorities for strengthening EU-Saudi energy collaboration. The panelists discussed opportunities in renewables, hydrogen, critical minerals, and new technologies, underscoring the potential for the EU and Saudi Arabia to complement each other during the ongoing energy transition.