RIYADH, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- The 25th World Petroleum Council Energy Congress opened Monday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, amid widespread flight disruptions following deadly attacks on the capital's international airport.
The congress proceeded as scheduled despite the disruptions, bringing together government officials, industry leaders, investors and experts to discuss global energy security, market developments and the green energy transition.
Saudi Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud and WPC Energy President Pedro Miras delivered opening remarks, stressing the need to maintain stable energy supplies while advancing an energy transition.
Held under the theme "Pathways to an Energy Future for All," the congress runs through Oct. 15. Discussions will also cover global oil and gas markets and Saudi Arabia's economic transformation under Vision 2030.
Meanwhile, the 17th Clean Energy Ministerial and the 11th Mission Innovation Ministerial, held as part of Riyadh Energy Week, have moved largely online.
Saudi Arabia is hosting the energy congress for the first time, making it the second Middle Eastern country to do so after the 2011 congress in Doha, Qatar.
The attacks have affected oil giants' attendance at the congress. The chief executives of ExxonMobil, TotalEnergies, Shell and BP have canceled their plans to be present, the Financial Times reported.
A missile attack on King Khalid International Airport on Saturday killed 13 people and wounded more than 300, according to Saudi authorities. Another attack on Sunday killed one person and injured 11 others. The Houthis in Yemen claimed responsibility for Saturday's strike. The airport has remained closed since Saturday, disrupting flights to and from the capital. ■
