Accelerating the AI Energy Revolution: U.S.-U.A.E. Leadership in Action
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(L to R) U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council President Danny Sebright;  James P. Danly, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy; Jasem Al Nuaimi, Senior Vice President – U.A.E. Industries, Mubadala Investment Company and Chair, Energy Committee, AmCham Abu Dhabi

“In the course of bilateral relations, the importance of affordable, reliable and sustainable energy is the precondition of prosperity.” U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy James P. Danly.

His statement framed the evening’s conversation at the 2025 ADIPEC Joint Kick-Off Reception, hosted by AmCham Abu Dhabi and the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at the Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi. This high-level, invitation-only event, supported by Gold Sponsor First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), convened senior U.S. and U.A.E. government officials and C-suite executives from across the global energy industry to discuss the energy partnerships that will be essential to powering the AI future. 

Deputy Secretary Danly delivered remarks highlighting the pivotal role of energy in bilateral engagement and private-sector collaboration

  • Deputy Secretary Danly emphasized that energy cooperation remains the bedrock of the global economy, noting the U.S. administration’s commitment to fostering innovation in energy technologies.
  • He highlighted a market-driven approach to nuclear energy development, underscoring the administration’s efforts to leverage U.S. ingenuity and the transformative potential of artificial intelligence.


Why This Matters:

  • AI, data centers, and digital infrastructure are fuelingunprecedented global demand for energy, putting pressure on energy systems to be more scalable, secure, and sustainable.
  • Energy is highlighted as a focus area of cooperation between the U.S. and U.A.E. under the U.A.E.’s 10-year $1.4 trillion investment framework for the United States.
  • This reception aligned public and private-sector leaders to advance energy innovation, mobilize capital, and accelerate the deployment of AI to achieve prosperity. 
  • ADIPEC is the premier platform for U.S.-U.A.E. engagement and collaboration across the energy industry; ADIPEC 2025 will convene 45 ministers and over 250 C-suite executives from across the energy, finance, and technology sectors

High-level U.S. Government Participation:

The evening featured attendance from: 

  • The Honorable James P. Danly, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy 

The reception was graced by the presence of Ambassador (Ret.) Martina Strong

(L to R): Eithne Treanor, Founder & CEO, ETreanor Media; Ibrahim N. Al Zu’bi, Chief Sustainability Officer, Sustainability Executive Function AI Champion, ADNOC Group; Eng. Nawal Al Hanaee, Director of Future Energy Department, U.A.E. Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure; Gido van Graas, Managing Director & Global Head of Energy & Natural Resources, First Abu Dhabi Bank

Panel Discussion:

A high-level panel explored the themes of energy security, AI-driven innovation, global market expansion, and sustainable investment. Speakers included:

  • Eng. Nawal Al Hanaee, Director of Future Energy Department, U.A.E. Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure
  • Ibrahim N. Al-Zu’bi, Chief Sustainability Officer, ADNOC Group
  • Gido van Graas, Managing Director, Global Head of Energy & Natural Resources, FAB

Themes Explored:
 

  • The U.A.E.’s central role in supplying reliable energy globally, and thesignificant opportunities for U.S.-U.A.E. collaboration and partnership in advancing AI and energy development.
  • The U.S.-U.A.E. energy relationship is strategic, dynamic, and focused on ensuring affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy.
  • ​The integration of AI in energy production is enhancing efficiency and contributing to a reduction in carbon emissions.
  • ADNOC has conducted 2,000 AI use cases, demonstrating measurable reductions in emissions and operational costs.
  • Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) and grid-scale battery storage are becoming increasingly important by enabling the transition to low-carbon systems while maintaining stable and reliable energy distribution to data centers. 
  • Access to capital is a decisive factor in accelerating the energy transitionand AI rollout.
  • ​Policy makers must adapt regulatory frameworks to support AI hyperscalers while maintaining energy reliability and security.
  • Energy security is becoming inseparable from digital and AI competitiveness.


This reception provided a setting to advance the agenda for ADIPEC and support U.S. commercial engagement in one of the world’s fastest-evolving energy markets.

For more information about the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council’s programming and this event, please contact Matthew Gardell at mgardell@usuaebusiness.org.

(L to R): U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council President Danny Sebright; Ibrahim N. Al Zu’bi, Chief Sustainability Officer, ADNOC Group; Board Member Jason Moore, Co-Chair, US-UAE Government Affairs Committee; James P. Danly, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy; Board Member Jasem Al Nuaimi, Chair, Energy & Sustainability Committee; Board Member Samer A. Najm, Co-Chair, Energy & Sustainability Committee; Eng. Nawal Al Hanaee, Director of Future Energy Department, U.A.E. Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure; Board Member Na’am Jamshed, Chair, Programs Committee; Christie Bear, Co-Chair, Energy & Sustainability Committee; Gido van Graas, Managing Director & Global Head of Energy & Natural Resources, First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB)