ADIPEC 2026 opens in Abu Dhabi with a record 2,260 exhibitors
The Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference, ADIPEC 2026, opens in Abu Dhabi today, Monday. It is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, in his capacity as Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and hosted by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) from 2 to 5 November at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi.
According to the organisers, this is the largest edition in the event's history, with 2,260 exhibiting companies, including 54 national and international oil and energy companies, and 30 country pavilions, after all 16 exhibition halls were fully booked. Because of that demand, the Opening Ceremony has moved to the Abu Dhabi Energy Centre to free up exhibition space. His Excellency Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and ADNOC Managing Director and Group CEO, delivers the opening address at 10am.
The programme features more than 1,800 speakers across 13 conference programmes and more than 380 sessions, and more than 40 ministers are expected to take part. A highlight is a ministerial discussion titled "The power shift: strengthening energy security in a changing world", with His Excellency Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, alongside the energy and economy ministers of Germany, Türkiye and Egypt.
This edition has the strongest Asian presence in the event's history, with 353 Asian exhibitors and six country pavilions for China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea. The exhibition also has four specialised zones covering AI, digitalisation, low carbon and chemicals, and maritime and logistics. The halls are open from 10am to 6:30pm on the first three days and until 5:30pm on the final day.
Al Majlis Analysis: The record figures matter, but their direction matters more. The growing Asian presence reflects the shift of energy demand eastwards and places Abu Dhabi as a bridge between Gulf producers and Asia's big consumers. Putting "energy security" at the heart of the ministerial dialogue, rather than a general talk about transition, shows where governments' priorities lie at a time of volatile markets and rising demand. Moving the Opening Ceremony to make room for more exhibitors is a practical sign that companies treat the event as a place to do business, not just a conference. What will really count over the four days is the scale of partnerships and projects officially announced, not the number of visitors.