Connecting producers and investors through collaborative dialogue

The path to a sustainable energy future is being energised by partnerships, private investments, and international collaboration, as highlighted during the Strategic Conference Shaping the Energy Future: Partnerships, Policy, and Collaboration. Policymakers emphasised that collaboration between governments and private companies is crucial in accelerating clean energy transitions effectively and sustainably. The Office of Energy Diplomacy for the Middle East and Asia (MEA) has embraced this approach, actively bringing together energy producers and investors to create productive alliances.

Erik Holmgren, Director of the Office of Middle East and Asia Energy Diplomacy US State Department’s Bureau of Energy Resources, said: “We have the clean energy demand initiative, and I think we have over 100 companies. So, let's just say Microsoft wants to work with Vietnam. We would have a dialogue with them [Microsoft] and they can say, we need this much energy, therefore it's not us as a government saying you should change a regulatory framework or you should incorporate renewables and then somebody will come to invest. It's actually the opposite way. Somebody says, I will invest under these sorts of conditions.”

“We don't have the money, but we do have the community power, and we can bring people together. So that’s how we play a role. Because, again, we don't have a budget to invest ourselves, but we do have some of these connections.” 

Partnerships are also essential to establishing energy strategies and policies that serve everyone’s best interest. Osama believes the challenges of the energy landscape - whether it's energy security or transitioning - cannot be sorted out by one country or one company. We need to come together for a solution, which is why His Excellency Osama Mobarez, Secretary General of East Mediterranean Gas Forum, explained that one of the philosophies at EMGF is partnering with similar organisations and partnering with different stakeholders.

He said: “That’s why we did this initiative of the decarbonisation, identifying the different stakeholders and we identified five main rules for the decarbonisation. One is harmonisation of policies and regulation. The other thing is aggregation of technology. The third one is bringing some sort of knowledge. How can we bring the best practices out, not just for developing the resources, but also reducing emissions? The fourth one is, how can we support our countries in packaging decarbonisation targets in a way that can easily attract investments in funding? And the fifth one is about carbon intensity, or certification, and I think this is one of the gaps that we have in the process.”

The International Energy Forum (IEF), with its global network of energy ministers from 72 countries, is also dedicated to promoting dialogue and understanding among energy-producing and energy-consuming nations. Joseph McMonigle, Secretary General of IEF, shared the organisation’s origins and mission.

Reflecting on the IEF’s role, McMonigle noted, “We pride ourselves on being a neutral place for dialogue. People can come present both sides of topics. We’re not a one-way conversation; we’re a two-way conversation. And you know, we provided that role for producers and consumers to understand the priorities of each side. I think that really proved beneficial during the early years.”

McMonigle emphasised how the IEF fosters dialogue not only between developed and developing nations but also within specific regions. “On the transition, there’s a lot of other local markets that can be developed, particularly countries with infrastructure in this part of the world, and of course in the developing world. So there’s a good discussion that needs to take place, and I think we’ve made progress on advancing the transition by some of the meetings that develop,” he said.

The insights shared during the panel illustrate how partnerships, diplomacy, and collaborative dialogue are essential for accelerating the clean energy transition globally. By facilitating private investments and fostering international alliances, organizations like MEA, EMGF, and IEF are making it possible to shape a resilient, inclusive energy future that benefits everyone.