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During a session titled “Who is winning on energy security?", Jafar spoke about the accelerating pace of energy demand growth, which is fundamentally reshaping energy systems. He pointed to the need for annual capital investments of $4 trillion in the development of grids, data centres and all energy resources.
Jafar highlighted the growing role played by the Middle East, particularly the United Arab Emirates, in strengthening global energy systems. This is driven by the region’s ability to scale up energy investments amid rapidly rising global demand to power artificial intelligence, data centres and electrification. He noted that regional natural gas production is expected to increase by around 30% by the end of the decade, requiring investments estimated at $200 billion.
Jafar added that energy security today depends on the existence of global systems capable of absorbing shocks, scaling in line with demand and remaining cost-effective over the long term. Countries with reliable supplies that can rapidly and extensively modernise their grids will be the ones to lead progress in the coming phases. Through forward-looking leadership, sound policies and the availability of capital and supplies, the UAE has demonstrated its leadership in enhancing global energy resilience and possesses the fundamentals and capabilities that make it the strongest and best placed to meet the growing demand for energy to power artificial intelligence in the future.
The session brought together energy sector leaders and policymakers to discuss how different regions are responding to increasing pressure on energy systems and infrastructure. Alongside Jafar, participants included Mike Henry, Chief Executive Officer of BHP; Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency; Andrés Gluski, Chief Executive Officer of AES; and Meghan O’Sullivan, Director of the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard University.
The meeting agenda also included a panel discussion titled “The New Energy Agenda: Access, Resilience and Artificial Intelligence”, held as part of the Energy Leaders Breakfast in Davos and hosted by Jafar and Musabbeh Al Kaabi, Chief Executive Officer of ADNOC’s Upstream Directorate. The discussion brought together senior industry leaders to explore how energy systems are evolving to meet growing global demand and support economic and technological progress.
Participants agreed that electricity demand driven by artificial intelligence has become a decisive measure of energy security, linking economic competitiveness with infrastructure resilience and long-term investment decisions, amid mounting pressure on global energy systems and infrastructure.
Jafar added that expansion plans in the Middle East are enhancing the region’s ability to build resilient, reliable and cost-effective energy systems. The sharp acceleration in electricity demand to power artificial intelligence and data centres is expected to push global power generation for data centres beyond 1,000 terawatt-hours by 2030. To succeed, global leaders and the private sector must adopt practical and inclusive energy strategies based on integrating different energy resources, ensuring supply stability and reliability, supporting emissions reductions and achieving long-term growth.
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