Shell and Financial Times hosts thought leaders for an energy dialogue in Dubai

The Dialogue was unique given the issues it sought to address, the diversity of the stakeholders, and the platform it created to stimulate the discussion between policy makers and energy industry players.

It reframed the energy debate and created a consensus view.

In particular, it highlighted the role natural gas as a sustainable solution for enhancing energy security and contributing to the economic development of the region.

Mr. Mounir Bouaziz, Shell's Vice President for Commercial in the Middle East and North Africa opened the session by providing delegates with a context for the Middle East's rising energy demand and the need to maintain economic growth.

"One of the fundamentals to achieving this economic growth is a reliable energy supply which is central to ensuring the quality of life people in the region have come to expect," Mr. Bouaziz stated.

The Middle East is among the most energy intensive regions in the world. Furthermore, the region's energy demand continues to rise on account of an increasing population and economic growth.

Mr. Bouaziz further indicated, "The Energy Pathways dialogues can help identify and promote research and thought leadership in the region, stimulate discussion and address the role that natural gas can play in meeting energy demand in the months and years ahead."

Mr. Dick Benschop, Director for Shell Netherlands and Vice President Gas Market Development, said, "In this time of social change, governments are under increasing pressure to solve their energy challenges and economic growth aspirations in a transparent way."

The delegates explored several sustainable solutions to the energy challenge and recognized that natural gas will play an increasingly important role.

Mr. Benschop added "Natural gas and LNG emerge as the fuel to bridging the supply energy gap and play a central role in powering the economic growth and creating the new jobs and social stability the region needs. We at Shell believe that technology, expertise, and long-standing partnerships are crucial to unlocking difficult resources and addressing the energy gap."

The first of four FT Energy Pathways Dialogues took place on Sunday, 16th September at the Jumeriah Emirates Towers in Dubai and featured a host of delegates of high-level thought leaders, decision makers, senior government officials, NGOs, and key influencers from across the Arab world. Future events will build on current findings and will be held in 2012 in Istanbul, Cairo, and Abu Dhabi.