The 13th Dii Desert Energy Leadership Summit convened on November 28, 2023, at the prestigious W hotel on the Jumeirah Palm in Dubai. Over the years, the assembly of executives leading the charge in the MENA region's energy transition has witnessed significant growth in both size and diversity since its inception in 2009. The event showcased a multilingual networking environment, with participants conversing in English, German, Chinese, French, Japanese and Arabic, representing various sectors such as industry, policy making, project development and academia.

The summit commenced with a welcome address by Paul von Son, the President of Dii Desert Energy, followed by an insightful keynote from Marco Arcelli, CEO of ACWA Power, who delved into the "Energy Quadrilemma." Arcelli emphasized the urgency of the energy transition, framing it within the trilemma of providing affordable, secure, and sustainable energy and adding the element of speed. Noteworthy highlights included ACWA Power's ambitious 600-tpd green H₂ Neom project, involving an $8.5-MM investment, and the inauguration of their second green H₂ plant in Uzbekistan. This initiative aimed at decarbonizing the fertilizer industry, caters to Europe's 1 MMtpy of imports from Uzbekistan, in response to the European carbon border adjustment mechanism. Arcelli underscored the shift to green H₂ as a business imperative for maintaining competitiveness.

Subsequently, Sharif Al Olama, the Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, expressed confidence in the continued relevance of "big oil" in the energy mix. Recognizing the industry's pivotal role amidst growing energy demands, Al Olama stressed the importance of responsible participation. He identified improving energy efficiency as the "low hanging fruit" and hinted at a forthcoming announcement at COP28 regarding the utilization of nuclear power. Al Olama elaborated on the U.A.E.'s leadership journey, from Sheikh Zayed's installation of solar panels in the 80s to becoming a regional pioneer in renewable energy. Highlighting the U.A.E.'s commitment to sustainability, he mentioned their achievements, including being the first in the region to ratify the Paris Agreement, commit to net zero, commercialize a CCUS facility, commission a H₂ power plant, and host COP28.

Other noteworthy presentations during the summit included Frank Wouters, SVP of Reliance Industries, discussing innovative applications of direct ammonia, and Rumaitha al Busaidi, Business Development Manager at Hydrom, presenting Oman's hydrogen roadmap.

The afternoon sessions centered on Neom Green Hydrogen and Oxagon, exploring "Green Molecules Driving Climate Action at COP28 and Beyond." Panel discussions covered crucial topics such as "Renewables and Green Energy Connecting Continents for Energy Security and Affordability," "Tackling Obstacles for Project Bankability and Off-take Schemes," and "Carbon Credits and Climate Products: Towards a Green Premium." The day concluded with nine interactive roundtables along the emission-free energy value chain and a convivial dinner at the Michelin-starred Torno Subito.