The Alliance, formed of leading companies across all industry sectors, is clear in its determination to decarbonize industrial value chains and accelerate net-zero ambitions in accordance with the Paris Agreement. IRENA acts as the Secretariat of the Alliance, Siemens Energy and Tata Steel co-chair the Alliance leadership, and knowledge partner Roland Berger supports the build-up and implementation. The Alliance has established six working groups focusing on renewables, green hydrogen, bioenergy with Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS), heat process optimization and integration, human capital, and finance. At Abu Dhabi we met to discuss our Alliance implementation strategy, action plans and potential joint initiatives. We were also delighted to welcome another three new members to our Alliance: Orbital Energy, TÜV SÜD, and IEC. 

In September 2022, companies across all industry sectors first launched the Alliance for Industry Decarbonization at IRENA's G20 Investment Forum on Energy Transition in Bali, Indonesia. Together we are demonstrating a united determination to speed up energy transition. The growing number of members highlights the need for an international, multi-stakeholder platform that enables exchange and collaboration to tackle the decarbonization of the industrial sector. At Siemens Energy we recognize there is a huge need to massively accelerate the energy transition. We need to act now to achieve rapid change. As a co-chair of the Alliance for Industry Decarbonization, we've committed ourselves to the task. By joining forces, we send a clear signal of solidarity. It is not enough to wait until COP28 conference in Dubai in December 2023, we must make decisive progress now. 

Recently Siemens Energy, along with Roland Berger, carried out a survey of nearly 2,000 global experts for their views on what priorities were being set for the energy transition in their region and how much progress had already been made. In the Middle East and Africa, our Energy Transition Readiness Index report found that the region is well positioned to become a major supplier of sustainable energy to global markets. But we also found perceptions don't always meet reality. Since 2005 emissions in the region have got higher rather than lower. 

Yes, we're making progress in decarbonizing the world. But energy-intensive industries are a tough challenge. We can't do this alone, we need alliances. Industries need to be part of the solution, and we invite new members to join our shared mission together with a growing group of partners. If we want to succeed, we need to get real and act now. The next COP needs be one of solutions instead of only ambitions. Looking at the companies involved in our alliance and their contributions so far, I am sure that together we can make a decisive difference to decarbonizing industries in the Middle East and across the globe.