The fifth meeting of the KAPSARC International Council (IAC) was held in Riyadh on November 13, 2013. Chaired by H.E. Mr. Ali I. Al-Naimi, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, the meeting was attended by 11 of the IAC members, and the Center’s leadership team, in addition to directors, the research team, and visiting research fellows. The meeting followed the new KAPSARC signature meeting format with participants seated at a round table, which provided an informal atmosphere thereby encouraging free-flowing discussion.

The meeting updated the IAC members on the progress of the Center to date – both with regard to its latest research projects and KAPSARC’s increased research capacity, which had quadrupled since the Council’s last meeting in January. Four researchers gave presentations on some of the Center’s current research projects, which included: Energy Productivity, Energy Systems Modeling, China’s Energy Policy and Drivers of Transportation.

A welcome dinner, hosted by the Chairman Mr. Al-Naimi, was held on November 12 prior to the IAC meeting, for IAC members, participants of the KAPSARC Energy Transitions Workshop, and KAPSARC employees.

The IAC is next scheduled to meet in November 2014.