The Honourable Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Mohamad Azmi bin Haji Mohd Hanifah, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office (Energy, Upstream and Downstream) attended the 17th International Energy Forum Ministerial Meeting (IEF17) and the 25th WPC Energy Congress in Riyadh, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 11th to 14th October 2026.
The Honourable Minister was accompanied by Yang Mulia Pengiran Haji Jamra Weira bin Pengiran Haji Petra, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Energy) at the Prime Minister’s Office and Yang Mulia Shamir Salahudin, the Managing Director of the Petroleum Authority of Brunei Darussalam and senior officials from the Department of Energy, Upstream and Downstream at the Prime Minister’s Office and the Petroleum Authority of Brunei Darussalam.
Held as part of Energy Week in Riyadh, the IEF17 forum was hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and co-hosted by Italy and Nigeria. The meeting brought together Energy Ministers, Government Representatives, Industry Leaders, International and Regional Organizations, and Research Institutions and experts, carrying the theme “Energy Security and Shared Goals in a New Era.”
As a long-standing energy producer and supplier to Asia, Brunei Darussalam remains committed to maintaining reliable energy supplies while pursuing opportunities to reduce emissions, strengthen competitiveness and develop a more diversified and sustainable energy sector.
Discussions at IEF17 highlighted the importance of closer cooperation among energy-producing, energy-consuming and transit countries. Attention was given to diversified supply routes, infrastructure resilience, emergency preparedness, energy-market transparency and predictable conditions for investment.
The Honourable Minister and delegations also attended the 25th WPC Energy Congress. The event addresses the future of global oil and gas markets, the role of natural gas, investment and financing, technology and digitalization, carbon management and the evolving global energy mix.
On the sidelines of the 17th IEF ministerial meeting and the 25th WPC Energy Congress in Riyadh on 12 October 2026, The Honourable Minister attended the OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Consultation Meeting co-chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Energy, and Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Alexandre Novak, Deputy Prime Minister, Russia where discussions included the security of international maritime routes, rising shipping and insurance costs, and the importance of maintaining stability in global energy markets.
The Honourable Minister held bilateral discussion with His Excellency Jassim Alshirawi, Secretary General of the International Energy Forum (IEF). During the session, both parties agreed to bolster energy security cooperation and identify new avenues for regional dialogue between Brunei Darussalam and the IEF. During the engagements, Brunei Darussalam reaffirmed its commitment to advancing energy security, affordability, and sustainability in tandem. It further highlighted the importance of investing in reliable energy supplies and resilient infrastructure; alongside practical pathways tailored to varying that recognize the differing national circumstances.
The Honourable Minister also held discussions with His Excellency Dahir Shire Mohamed, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources of the Federal Republic of Somalia. The discussions explored energy cooperation, particularly in petroleum exploration, downstream development, technical capacity building and knowledge sharing.
