Programme

12.00 - 15.30 - Officers' Council Meeting* (Room Coclé)

16.00 - 18.00 - Regional Member Meetings*

• Americas Meeting (Room La Caleta)
• Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East Meeting (Room Contadora I)

*Meetings open to members of the World Energy Council

7.30 - 9:30 - Officers' Council Strategic Discussion (Room Coclé)

10.00 - 13.00 - Strategic Community Conversation* (Room Gran Ancon)

14.30 - 17.00 - Executive Assembly* (Room Gran Ancon)

17.00 - 18.30 - Welcome Reception (Gran Baru 2)

19.30 - 21.30 - World Energy Leaders' Dialogue Dinner (invitation only, Casa de La Municipalidad)

*Meetings open to members of the World Energy Council

07.30-9.30 - World Energy Leaders' Dialogue (invitation only, Room Caleta) 

This private, high-calibre gathering is designed and curated for the World Energy Council’s global energy leadership community, co-hosted by the National Secretary of Energy of Panamá and the Secretary General of the World Energy Council.

Participation is by invitation only, bringing together the leaders of energy society – including international CEOs, Ministers and city leaders – with a shared goal of advancing energy transitions around the world. 

Everyone participating will have the opportunity to share key insights and experiences through a series of facilitated strategic conversations and peer-to-peer dialogues. We encourage all participants to be concise, constructively critical and collaborative.

9.30-10.00 - Registration and welcome coffee (Foyer)

10.00-10.20 - Opening circle (Room Gran Ancon)

• Angela Wilkinson, Secretary General & CEO, World Energy Council
• Hector Cotes, Chair, Panama Member Committee, World Energy Council
• Madelaine Leignadier, Master of Ceremonies

10.20-11.00 - Ministerial welcome

A conversation with the National Energy Secretary of Panama. With:

• Angela Wilkinson, Secretary General & CEO, World Energy Council
• H.E. Rodrigo Rodriguez, National Energy Secretary
• Douglas Silliman, President, Arab Gulf States Institute

11.00-12.00 - The Americas Ambition (Room Gran Ancon)

The Americas are home to a diverse energy landscape — from hydro-rich nations and fossil exporters to fast-growing renewable markets. This session explores the geopolitical priorities, trade relationships, and regional collaborations that are shaping the pace and direction of clean and inclusive energy transitions across North, Central, and South America. With perspectives from across the continent, we’ll examine emerging signals of ambition, local innovation, and shared challenges in building a more connected and resilient energy future. With:

• Ricaurte Vásquez Morales, Administrator, Panama Canal Authority
• Elbia Gannoum, COP30 Special Envoy for Energy, Brazil, Chief Executive Officer of ABEEólica, Vice Chair of the Global Wind Energy Council
• Claudio Huepe Minoletti, Former Minister of Energy of Chile, Economist and Director, Energy Transition Observatory
• Marco Fuentes, President, EnfraGen
• Douglas Silliman, President, Arab Gulf States Institute

12.00-13.30 - Lunch and Networking (Room Gran Salon)

12.00-13.30 - World Energy Women (invitation only, Room Caleta)

13.30-14.30 - Unlocking finance (Room Gran Ancon)

What does it take to finance energy transitions that deliver real value — to both investors and communities? In this fast-paced session, you’ll hear sharp insights from global finance leaders, then move into a focused panel–audience exchange on the toughest questions. Get ready to test ideas and challenge assumptions. With:

• Guangzhe Chen, Vice President, Infrastructure, World Bank Group
• Olga Bogdanova, Deputy State Secretary at Ministry of Climate and Energy, Latvia; President, World Energy Council Latvia
• David Cosserat, Global Advisory Leader – Natural Resources, WTW
• Hiroki Sato, Division CEO, Global Business, Chubu Electric Power Company
• Raúl Arosemena, Vice President of Corporate Banking, BAC Credomatic
• Randolph Brazier, Global Head of Clean Power Systems, HSBC; Future Energy Leaders Board Member, World Energy Council

14.30-15.30 - Beyond supply: Demand-first futures (Room Gran Ancon)

Meaningful energy access isn’t just about what’s delivered — it’s about what demand can unlock. This session shifts the focus from supply to demand-driven access — from individual connections to joined-up demand across energy sectors and systems. We’ll surface solutions that link needs end-to-end, mobilise finance, and deliver lasting improvements in livelihoods and lifestyles. With:

• Alessandra Amaral, Executive Director, Association of Latin American Electricity Distributors (ADELAT)
• Juan Octavio Díaz, CEO, Casa de la Batería
• Rodrigo Paris, Former CEO, Barefoot College International
• Lyes Ferroukhi, Regional Hub Manager for Latin America and the Caribbean, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
• Michelle Howie, Innovation Development Manager, SA Power Networks; Future Energy Leader, World Energy Council

15.30-16.00 - Networking break (Room Gran Baru)

16.00-17.00  - Clean transport and supply chains (Room Gran Ancon)

Trade and transport are major enablers of the energy system — and hidden sources of vast emissions. This conversation explores how cleaner transport, smarter logistics and cross-border collaboration can accelerate decarbonisation. What’s the fastest route to low-carbon, high-impact supply chains? What must change? With:

• Simone Souza, Latin America & Caribbean Sustainability Leader, Boeing
• Carlo Bertani, Decarbonization & Renewable Energy Procurement and Development, A.P. Moller – Maersk
• Clara Bowman, Chief Operating Officer, HIF Global
• Eduardo López de Victoria, Regional Country General Manager, BYD Panama
• Claudio Seebach, Chair, Latin American & Caribbean, World Energy Council; Dean, University Adolfo Ibañez, Chile

17.00-17.15 - Closing reflections and introduction to next day (Room Gran Ancon)

• Madelaine Leignadier, Master of Ceremonies

19.00-21.30 - World Energy Dinner, BioMuseo
Join us for dinner at Panama’s iconic Biomuseo, the design museum that celebrates Panama's biological and cultural diversity.

Address: Biomuseo, Amador Causeway, Panama City

Buses to the Biomuseo will be available from the Sheraton Hotel at the following times: 18.15 and 18.30 

Buses to return from the Biomuseo to the Sheraton Hotel will be available at: 21.30 and 21.45

9.30-10.00 - Registration and welcome coffee (Foyer)

10.00-10.20 - Opening reflections (Room Gran Ancon)

• Madelaine Leignadier, Master of Ceremonies

10.20-11.00 - Energising Abundance: Realising success beyond supply (Room Gran Ancon)

This high-level conversation explores how strategic cooperation, anchored in demand rather than just supply, can unlock energy abundance and resilience. Bringing perspectives from across the energy ecosystem, we’ll examine how collaboration, innovation, and shared infrastructure can drive more secure, sustainable, and equitable energy outcomes in an increasingly interdependent world. With:

• Mayka McCalla, Global Organisation and Development Vice President, The AES Corporation
• Fahad Alajlan, President, KAPSARC; Chair, Middle East and Gulf States, World Energy Council
• Tao Sun, Chairman, State Grid Brazil Holding
• Douglas Silliman, President, Arab Gulf States Institute
• Angela Wilkinson, Secretary General & CEO, World Energy Council

11.00-12.00 -  Wiser and smarter power shifts: AI & Hyperscalers (Room Gran Ancon)

The explosive growth of AI, data centres, and digital infrastructure is driving a new wave of energy demand — one that is high-intensity, 24/7, and increasingly global. It is also reshaping energy demand faster than expected. This session explores how we can align to meet this surge sustainably, turning digital growth into a catalyst for innovation and decarbonisation. With:

• Hon. Roger Martella, Chief Sustainability Officer, GE Vernova
• Philip Haddad, President & Chief Executive Officer, Masdar Americas
• Roberto Herrera, Country Manager Dominican Republic, Member of Board of Directors, InterEnergy Group
• Thomas TerBush, President, EPRI International
• Stephanie Badr, Chief Executive Officer, Electric Power Engineers (EPE)

12.00-13.30 - Lunch and networking (Room Gran Salon)

13.30-14.30 - Low-carbon fuels and trade corridors (Room Gran Ancon)

Low-carbon fuels — including hydrogen, ammonia, methanol and SAF — are set to become a backbone of future global trade. This session spotlights actionable bright spots that are connecting production hubs to demand centres via resilient, investable trade corridors. With:

• Juris Agüero Carocca, New Business Development Manager, Enap, Chile
• Abdalla Alhammadi, Sustainability Engineer, Future Energy Department, UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure
• Arturo Alarcón, Senior Energy Specialist, Inter-American Development Bank
• John Carnegie, Chief Executive Officer, Energy Resources Aotearoa, New Zealand; Chair, Finance Committee, World Energy Council

14.30-15.30 - World Energy Trilemma: Resilience as the new security agenda (Room Gran Ancon)

Resilience is being redefined. What began as a systems-focused concern is now a broader societal agenda—shaped by climate urgency, shifting power dynamics, and rising instability. Through the lens of the World Energy Trilemma framework, this session creates the space to explore how resilience is evolving across contexts—what’s emerging, what’s needed, and what’s working. Whether it’s a policy innovation, a local bright spot, or a shift in mindset, we’re inviting stories and signals that show how resilience can unlock success beyond supply.

• Natalia Gutiérrez Jaramillo, Executive President, Colombian Association of Electric Power Generators (Acolgen)
• Haider Al Abdulaal, Advisor, Policy & Strategic Planning, Ministry of Energy, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Agustín Delgado Martín, Chief Technology Officer, Iberdrola; Incoming Chair for Europe, World Energy Council
• Ramón Varela, Head of Energy & Projects, Partner, Morgan & Morgan
• Sandra Winkler, Senior Director of Insights, World Energy Council

15.30-16.00 - Networking break (Room Gran Baru)

16.00-17.00 - Closing reflections and forward commitments (Room Gran Ancon)

This session connects the conversations of the week and brings the community back together to look ahead. With leadership voices from our community across diverse regions, it’s a moment to carry forward a shared commitment to powering more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient energy futures. With:

• Angela Wilkinson, Secretary General & CEO, World Energy Council
• Justice Ohene-Akoto, Executive Director, Africa Sustainable Energy Centre; Future Energy Leader Board Member, World Energy Council
• Luiz Carlos Ciocchi, Senior Advisor to the Secretary General; Executive Director, Brazilian Member Committee, World Energy Council
• Greg Lowe, Board Chair, New Zealand Member Committee, World Energy Council; Strategic Growth Advisor, Beca
• Trinidad Castro, Secretary, Chilean Member Committee, World Energy Council
• Adnan Amin, Chair-designate, World Energy Council

Visit to the AES Colón Liquefied Natural Gas Plant and Terminal.

Delegates will have the opportunity to visit the AES Colón LNG Terminal, the first of its kind in Central America. The tour will highlight key aspects such as:

• The terminal’s strategic role in regional energy supply.
• Cutting-edge technology in LNG storage and regasification.
• Integration with the AES Colón power plant to support cleaner energy.
• Insights into operational logistics and safety protocols.
• Interaction with technical experts on-site.
• This visit offers a unique look into one of the most important energy infrastructure projects in the region.

Location: AES Panama Colón

Date: Friday, 10 October 2025

Available schedules:

• From 9:00am to 11:00am

• Meeting point at the Sheraton Grand Panama Hotel at 8:00am
• Drop-off point at the Sheraton Grand Panama Hotel at 12:00pm 

Total duration: Approximately 4 hours, including around 1 hour each way for transfers

Includes: Transportation and guided technical tour

Admission cost: US$30.00 per person

How to register: is a unique registration link will be used, allowing participants to select which site visit they wish to attend

Capacity is limited to 25 participants.

We can also share general information with confirmed participants ahead of the visit, including the meeting point, safety guidelines, schedule, and other relevant details.

Contact for questions: Carlo Justavino carlo.justavino@congrex.com.pa

Delivered by: AES Panama

Language: English and Spanish

Recommendations: To ensure a safe and comfortable experience during the visit, we recommend the following:

Clothing & Footwear: Wear closed toe, flat shoes with non-slip soles. Avoid sandals, heels, or open footwear. Comfortable, long trousers and a short- or long-sleeved shirt are recommended. Light, breathable fabrics are ideal due to the tropical climate. Bring a hat or cap and sunglasses for outdoor portions of the tour.

Safety & Conduct: Follow all on-site safety instructions and always remain with the group. If personal protective equipment (PPE) is required, it will be provided by the facility.

Other Tips: Stay hydrated and keep personal items to a minimum; avoid bringing large bags.

Personalized tour inside the Visitor Centre and east wall of the Miraflores locks.

Location: Panama Canal

Date: Friday, 10 October 2025

Schedules available:

• From 08:00am to 10:00am

• Meeting point at the Sheraton Grande Panama Hotel at 7:00am
• Drop-off point at the Sheraton Grand Panama Hotel at 11:00am  

• From 10:00am to 12:00md

• Meeting point at the Sheraton Grand Panama Hotel at 9:00am
• Drop-off point at the Sheraton Grand Panama Hotel at 1:00pm 

Total duration: Approximately 4 hours, including around 1 hour each way for transfers.

Includes: Transportation, guided technical tour and access to the IMAX theatre (45-minute movie)

Admission cost: USD$25.00 per person

How to register:  is a unique registration link will be used, allowing participants to select which site visit they wish to attend.

Contact for questions: Carlo Justavino carlo.justavino@congrex.com.pa

Delivered by: Panama Canal

Language: English and Spanish