A coalition of international scholars and policy experts will, from May 15 to 29, convene for a three-part webinar series to interrogate the complex intersection of energy security, resource wealth and the global transition to renewable energy.
The series, titled “The Politics of Power: Energy Security, Resource Wealth and the Global Energy Transition,” is organised under the CIFAL Global Network and UNITAR, with sessions hosted by leading academic institutions across Australia, Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
Scheduled to hold over three consecutive Fridays at 9:00 a.m. (Nigeria time), the webinars will explore how countries can balance economic prosperity with the urgent need for a just and sustainable energy transition.
The opening session on May 15 will be hosted by CIFAL Newcastle in collaboration with the University of Newcastle. Discussions will focus on Australia’s strategic position as a major coal exporter and the challenges of transitioning towards cleaner energy sources.
Speakers for the session include Lara Eadie, a specialist in sustainability and regional development, and Paul Ebert, an authority in energy systems and infrastructure.
The second webinar, slated for May 22, will shift attention to Nigeria’s energy landscape. Hosted by CIFAL Nigeria at Rivers State University, the session will examine how Africa’s largest oil producer can navigate the dual challenge of sustaining economic growth while expanding domestic energy access amid declining global reliance on fossil fuels.
Panelists include Prof. Augustine A. Ikein, a Fulbright postdoctoral fellow and Professor Emeritus at the Federal University Otuoke; Prof. Kingsley Okpara,an expert in Environmental Pollution of the Institute of Geosciences and Environmental Management(IGEM), Rivers State University; and Dr. Uduak Akpan,a postdoctoral researcher at SOAS University of London,whose work spans Africa’s economic transformation and energy sector, including experience at the African Development Bank.
The final session on May 29 will be hosted by CIFAL Surrey in partnership with the University of Surrey. It will broaden the conversation to global governance, resilience and the geopolitical dimensions of energy transition.
Speakers include Dr. Amelia Hadfield, Director of CIFAL Surrey; Mustafa Demir, an expert in international governance; and Prof. Mahmoud Shafee, noted for his research on risk and sustainability in global energy systems.
Organisers said the series is designed to bring together diverse global perspectives to unpack one of the most pressing challenges of the 21st century — achieving energy security while ensuring economic stability and advancing a fair transition to renewable energy.
Participants who attend all three sessions will receive a certificate of participation from the CIFAL Global Network/ UNITAR while recordings will be made available to registered attendees.
The organisers urged stakeholders, policymakers, academics and industry players to take advantage of the forum to engage with emerging ideas and contribute to shaping the future of global energy systems.
Register now and be part of the conversation.https://uonewcastle.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Y2W4u2qMSc6UHP_7Gbd9EA#/registration
