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The Al-Attiyah Foundation has confirmed plans for its 2026 edition of the Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah International Energy Awards, which will recognise eight individuals for lifetime achievements across the energy sector. The foundation’s website outlines six core categories that have guided selections in prior years, including advancement of Qatar’s energy industry, natural gas, education for future energy leaders, renewables, energy journalism and international energy policy and diplomacy. An international selection committee evaluates nominees according to criteria that emphasise long-term impact, leadership and collaborative partnerships, a process the foundation has refined since its establishment in 2015.
Past recipients demonstrate the awards’ reach, with the 2025 honorees featuring figures such as Patrick Pouyanné, chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies, and Steven Chu, the 12th U.S. Secretary of Energy and Stanford professor, according to foundation records on social media. The 2024 class included Claudio Descalzi, CEO of Eni, and Professor Jenny Nelson of Imperial College London, the foundation’s annual reports show. Such recognitions align with the foundation’s stated objective to perpetuate the legacy of H.E. Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, Qatar’s former deputy prime minister and minister of energy and industry.
The foundation convened its third CEO roundtable of 2026 on Sept. 10 under the title “The New Energy Security: Building Resilient Energy Systems in an Era of Multiple Risks,” an event that drew experts from the United Nations ESCAP, Columbia University, Rice University and Rystad Energy. H.E. Dr. Saud bin Abdullah Al-Attiyah, chairman of the Al-Attiyah Foundation board of trustees, said energy security now requires managing interconnected geopolitical, technological, environmental and commercial risks rather than focusing solely on supply volumes. The discussion, held under Chatham House rules, highlighted practical steps for strengthening resilience while preserving affordability and advancing sustainability.
Ceremonies have historically gathered more than 300 senior executives, policymakers and thought leaders at the Sheraton Grand Doha Resort and Convention Hotel, with sponsorship from companies including ExxonMobil and TotalEnergies alongside foundation members such as QatarEnergy and Shell. The foundation has published detailed award books that document each winner’s contributions, offering a public archive that tracks progress in global energy stewardship over the past decade. These events form part of a broader programme that includes research publications, podcasts and webinars focused on sustainable development challenges.
The awards selection process begins with shortlists of five candidates per category before final choices are made, according to the foundation’s published methodology. Nominees must demonstrate an outstanding record of accomplishment and recognition as inspirational figures in their fields. This rigorous approach has helped establish the awards as a respected benchmark since the inaugural ceremony more than a decade ago.
Foundation member companies, which include Qatar Electricity and Water Company, WOQOD and QNB among others, provide ongoing support that enables the organisation’s work in energy analysis and dialogue. The 2026 awards will build on this foundation amid continued industry focus on both traditional resources and the shift toward lower-carbon systems. Organisers expect the October gathering to reinforce collaboration across borders and sectors at a time of evolving energy priorities.
