Following Chinese President Xi Jinping’s video keynote speech at the event’s opening plenary, Yousef Al-Benyan, Vice Chairman and CEO of SABIC and member of the BFA Board of Directors, delivered a keynote speech of his own via video. He then met with Chinese Vice-Premier Han Zheng and other BFA board members and strategic partners to engage in a high-level small group discussion.

In his speech, Al-Benyan represented the consensus view of the international business community: “The best way to create long-term value and spread well-being throughout the world is to respond to climate change under the umbrella of sustainable development.” As an example, he specifically mentioned the host country’s approach. “China’s 14th Five-Year Plan and 2035 Long-Range Objectives not only lay a solid foundation for sustainable development but also specify ‘30-60’ decarbonization goals, providing a framework within SABIC which can strengthen its in-country partnerships.”

Al-Benyan conceded that implementing the consensus view would not be easy or quick. “Energy-based value chains require a lot of time and effort to transform. Together, public and private sectors must ‘re-globalize’ the world economy to establish not only alternative energy sources but also new markets and diversified supply chains.” But he added, “I’m convinced that, through the spirit of collaboration, we can overcome the biggest of challenges. It is what enabled us to get through the worst of the COVID pandemic. And it is the basis on which to build a cohesive, inclusive and prosperous world.”