Principal Lead, Energy Transition, COP28 UAE
Saamir Elshihabi is the Principal Lead, Energy Transition at the COP28 Organization in the UAE. He started this position in December 2022, and is responsible for engaging with and convening sectoral and policy leaders to deliver an actionable and impactful energy transition agenda at the COP 28 to be held in the United Arab Emirates in November/December 2023. Areas of focus include oil & gas decarbonization, renewable power, hydrogen and heavy emitting industries. Mr. Elshihabi’s career spans a variety of legal and business roles in the energy industry globally, having geographic responsibility in the United States, South America, Middle East and Africa during various parts of his career. Mr. Elshihabi holds a Juris Doctor from Columbia Law School, New York where he was a James Kent Scholar and Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar, as well as the recipient of the Parker School Achievement Award for Excellence in International and Comparative Law. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and International Business Management from Trinity University, Texas. Mr. Elshihabi was a U.S. Fulbright Fellow to the United Arab Emirates in 1995-1996.