Manama: Mahmood Rafique, Editor: The Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA), the voice of the chemical industry in the Arabian Gulf, announced that the 19th Annual GPCA Forum will be held for the first time at Exhibition World Bahrain from 8-11 December 2025, under the patronage of the Ministry of Oil and Environment, Bahrain. Hosted by the Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company (GPIC), under the theme “Catalyzing Competitiveness through Strategic Partnerships”, this year’s forum underscores the industry’s imperative to embrace collaboration, innovation, and sustainability in the face of global challenges.
As the global chemical sector navigates an increasingly complex landscape shaped by the energy transition, digital disruption, and geopolitical uncertainty, strategic partnerships and technological innovation will be key to defining competitive advantage in the decade ahead. AI-driven innovation and circularity strategies will play a central role in improving operational efficiency and sustainability, while high-impact collaborations will help unlock scale and accelerate transformation. The Annual GPCA Forum will convene global chemical CEOs, policymakers, technology providers, and young professionals from the region for a rich program of ministerial sessions, keynote presentations, fireside chats, and leadership dialogues.
Eng. Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh, CEO, SABIC and Chairman, GPCA, will deliver the Welcome remarks and open the forum on 8 December, while H.E. Dr. Mohamed bin Mubarak Bin Daina, Minister of Oil and Environment, Bahrain, will present a Ministerial address as the host of this year’s event. Prof. Jim Al-Khalili CBE FRS, Distinguished Professor Emeritus in Physics, University of Surrey, UK, will deliver a Keynote address on 8 December entitled “Pathfinders of Innovation”.
On 9 December, Shaikh Nawaf S. Al-Sabah, Deputy Chairman and CEO, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC), will participate in a Fireside chat about the future of energy and petrochemicals. He will be followed on stage by Simon Williams, Chief Economist, HSBC, who will address the state of the global economy and the tariffs conundrum. Peter R. Huntsman, President and CEO, Huntsman Corporation, will discuss the power of partnerships in a Fireside chat, followed by a CEOs Plenary on the role of high impact partnerships featuring Dr. Markus Kamieth, CEO, BASF, and Peter Vanacker, CEO, LyondellBasell.
Other esteemed speakers at the forum this year include Steve Prusak, President and CEO, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company; Dr. Hans Bohnen, CEO, Röhm GmbH. Dr. Stefan Doboczky, CEO, Borealis AG; Jean-Marc Natal, Head of the Commodities Unit, International Monetary Fund (IMF); Eduardo Menezes, CEO, Air Products; Aloke Lohia, Founder and Group CEO, Indorama Ventures; Ignacio ‘Nacho’ Torras, President and CEO, Tricon Energy; Stephan Schnabel, Chairman of the Executive Board, HELM AG and Dr. Udo Lange, CEO, Stolt-Nielsen.
The forum will also feature the 2nd GPCA Startup Nexus, a platform dedicated to advancing the regional start-up ecosystem, alongside the 3rd GPCA Solutions Xchange and the GPCA Sustainability Pavilion, which will showcase the region’s sustainability initiatives and circular solutions. Building on the success of previous editions, the 4th GPCA Youth Forum will unite young professionals and students with industry leaders to exchange insights and shape the future of the chemical and petrochemical sectors.
As in previous years, one of the most anticipated moments of the forum will be the presentation of the 7th GPCA Legacy Award “Al Rowad”, taking place on 8 December. The award will honor an exceptional pioneer whose vision and leadership laid the foundations for the chemical industry in the Arabian Gulf, celebrating their enduring impact and contribution to the sector’s growth and global reputation.
“In this new era of global rebalancing, emerging trade flows and strategic partnerships present new opportunities to reinvent the GCC chemical industry’s competitiveness and pursue new avenues for growth. The Annual GPCA Forum is the ideal platform to ignite collaboration, while driving innovation, advancing sustainability, and building industry resilience. We invite the global and regional chemical industry community to join us this December in Bahrain for four days full of networking, knowledge sharing, and collaboration to shape the future together,” Dr. Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun, Secretary General, GPCA, said.
