The Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA), the organization representing sector affairs in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, announced that the nineteenth annual GPCA Forum will be held for the first time at the Bahrain International Exhibition Center, during the period from 8 to 11 December 2025, under the auspices of the Ministry of Oil and Environment in the Kingdom of Bahrain. This year, the forum is hosted by the Gulf Petrochemical Industry Company (GPIC) under the slogan “Stimulating competitiveness through strategic partnerships”, to emphasize the importance of cooperation, innovation and sustainability as basic pillars for enhancing the competitiveness of the chemicals sector in the face of accelerating global challenges.
In light of the volatile global landscape witnessed by the chemicals sector, affected by energy sector transformations, rapid digital developments, and geopolitical challenges, strategic partnerships and the adoption of advanced technologies emerge as key factors in determining competitive advantage during the next decade. AI-powered innovation and expansion strategies are expected to play a pivotal role in enhancing operational efficiency and sustainability, while high-impact partnerships will provide greater opportunities for expansion and accelerate the pace of industrial transformation.
In this context, the annual GPCA Forum will bring together an elite group of CEOs of global chemical companies, policy makers, and technology providers, along with young people, to discuss the most prominent trends shaping the future of the sector through ministerial sessions, keynote speeches, interactive leadership dialogues, and open discussions that shed light on the future of the industry in a phase of global transformation.
Engineer Abdul Rahman Al-Faqih, CEO of SABIC and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Gulf Petrochemical and Chemicals Association (GPCA), will deliver the opening and welcoming speech on December 8, marking the start of the forum’s work. Dr. will also kindly. Mohammed bin Mubarak bin Daina, Minister of Oil and Environment of the Kingdom of Bahrain, delivered a ministerial speech in his capacity as the host of this year’s event. Also participating in the opening session will be Professor Jim Al-Khalili, OBE, Fellow of the Royal Society, and Honorary Distinguished Professor of Physics at the University of Surrey, UK, who will deliver the keynote address entitled “Innovation Pioneers” on 8 December.
On December 9, Sheikh Nawaf Saud Al-Sabah, Vice Chairman and CEO of the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, will participate in a dialogue session addressing the future of energy and petrochemicals. He will be followed on stage by Simon Williams, Chief Economist at HSBC Bank, where he will review the reality of the global economy and the challenges associated with tariffs. Peter Huntsman, President and CEO of Huntsman, will also speak about the power of strategic partnerships in a dedicated session, followed by a plenary session for CEOs discussing the role of high-impact partnerships, with the participation of Dr. Markus Kamith, CEO of BASF, and Peter Vanaker, CEO of LyondellBasell.
Among the prominent speakers at this year’s forum are:
• Steve Prusak, President and CEO of Chevron Phillips Chemical Company
• Dr. Hans Bohnen, CEO of RÖHM GMBH
• Dr. Stefan Duboschke, CEO of BOREALIS AG
• Jean-Marc Natal, Head of the Commodities Unit at the International Monetary Fund
• Eduardo Menezes, CEO of AIR PRODUCTS
• Alok Lohia, Founder and CEO, INDORAMA VENTURES Group
• Ignacio “Nacho” Torras, President and CEO of TRICON ENERGY
• Stefan Schnabel, Chairman of the Executive Board of HELM AG
• Dr. Udo Lange, CEO of STOLT-NIELSEN
This year, the Forum will witness the organization of a group of distinguished events, including the second session of the “Startup Nexus” initiative, which was launched by the Federation with the aim of supporting and developing the startup ecosystem in the region, in addition to the third session of the “GPCA Solutions Exchange” program, and the GPCA Sustainability Pavilion, which highlights the leading regional initiatives in the field of sustainability for a better world. Building on the remarkable success it has achieved over the past three years, the GPCA Youth Forum returns in its fourth edition to bring together an elite group of young talents and ambitious professionals, and provide them with the opportunity to communicate directly with industry leaders and explore the future of the chemical and petrochemical sector.
As every year, the announcement of the winner of the GPCA Pioneer Award “Pioneers – Seventh Edition” is one of the most prominent and important moments of the forum, as the honoring ceremony will be held on December 8 to celebrate one of the prominent figures who contributed to the establishment and development of the chemical industry in the region, and left an influential mark on its growth and global standing.
Dr. said. Abdul Wahab Al-Saadoun, Secretary General of the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA): “In this new era in which the world is witnessing a reshaping of global economic balances, emerging trade flows and strategic partnerships stand out as promising opportunities to enhance the ability of the chemical industry in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries to compete globally, and open new horizons for growth and development.
The annual GPCA Forum is an ideal platform to activate cooperation between concerned parties, stimulate innovation, enhance sustainability, and build greater resilience in the sector.
We look forward to the regional and global chemical industry community participating with us in the Kingdom of Bahrain next December, in four days full of communication, knowledge exchange and cooperation, to work together to chart a brighter future for our industry.”
For more information, please visit our website at: www.gpcaforum.com
