Qatar Museums (QM), in collaboration with the Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah International Foundation for Energy & Sustainable Development (The Al-Attiyah Foundation), presents a high-level panel exploring one of the most pressing questions of our time: How can the global energy transition strengthen climate resilience across rural landscapes?
Held as part of the landmark exhibition Countryside: A Place to Live, Not to Leave, the session brings together internationally recognised experts in energy, ecology, and sustainability to unpack how innovative energy strategies, ranging from renewable deployment to decentralised systems and low-carbon technologies, can reshape the countryside into a more sustainable, equitable, and future-ready environment.
Distinguished Fellows of The Al-Attiyah Foundation will provide global and regional perspectives on the intertwined challenges of energy security, climate adaptation, and rural development. Through policy insights, technological solutions, and examples from across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and beyond, the discussion highlights the countryside as a vital site of innovation, one capable of offering practical responses to global climate pressures.
Designed for leaders across government, industry, academia, and the media, the event invites audiences into an engaging dialogue that bridges exhibition research with real-world impact. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how energy transition policies can be aligned with rural needs, how communities are adapting to climate volatility, and how the future of the countryside can be shaped through cross-sector collaboration.
The session includes:
- Welcome remarks
- Moderated panel discussion led by an expert moderator from The Al-Attiyah Foundation
- Audience Q&A (10 minutes)
- Closing summary with key takeaways
Panelists
Alan Gelder
VP, Chemicals and Oil Markets, Wood Mackenzie
A global leader in downstream energy research and cross-sector outlooks, with an extensive background in project planning, technical design, and energy market analysis.
Dr Gonzalo Castro de la Mata
Executive Director, Earthna Center for a Sustainable Future, Qatar Foundation (QF)
An internationally recognised ecologist and sustainability expert with more than 250 publications and decades of leadership in global environmental governance.
Howard Bevan
Director of Energy, The Al-Attiyah Foundation
A seasoned specialist in energy economics with significant experience across the Gulf, including strategic advisory roles in LNG, risk management, and performance planning.
Moderator
Nawied Jabarkhyl
With over 15 years of experience across global media organisations including Reuters, CNN International, and CGTN, Nawied brings a rigorous, balanced, and engaging approach to facilitating high-level dialogue.
