The 20th WPC is being hosted by Qatar Petroleum on behalf of Qatar and will take place at the new Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC) in Doha, from Dec. 4-8.
The QNCC, which boasts an iconic design and cutting-edge facilities in a green technology venue, is the first facility of its kind in the Middle East being built to the gold certification of the US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED).
The theme of the congress is “Energy Solutions for All — Promoting Cooperation, Innovation and Investment” and this is the first time since its establishment in 1933 that the WPC will be hosted in the Middle East.
This is the forum for the region’s top energy stakeholders to showcase advancements across the range of their operations, as well as for representatives of the Middle East to prove their growing credentials in a highly competitive market.
Issa Al-Ghanim, chairman, organizing committee of the 20th WPC, said: “The WPC being hosted in Doha is a great achievement for Qatar and it also underscores the region’s growing role in global energy. So I would like to say that we represent the people of the region with great honor.”
He said around half of the expected 5,000 delegates have already confirmed their attendance and applications continue to stream in.
Over five days in December, attendance will include 500 speakers and panel constituents, more than 50 ministers of various member countries, around 500 top executives representing energy companies and allied businesses, and hundreds of international journalists.
The WPC in 2011 has also confirmed the support of over 50 companies including some of the world’s biggest brands, as partners and sponsors of the event. This includes international oil companies (IOCs) and the national oil companies of several countries, as well as multinational leaders in analytics, law, marketing and communication.
“These partners and sponsors are working closely with the organizing committee to take the message of the congress to the world. We are fortunate to have established long term relationships with many of our sponsors and plan to continue that trend as we get closer to the 20th WPC,” said Al-Ghanim.