TLDR: Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and CEO of ADNOC and XRG, has been awarded the 2025 ICIS CEO of the Year. The prestigious award acknowledges his pivotal role in transforming the global energy and chemical sectors, particularly his efforts in addressing the escalating energy demands fueled by artificial intelligence and leading ADNOC’s technological advancement.
Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, the United Arab Emirates’ Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and the Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNOC, as well as Executive Chairman of XRG, has been named the recipient of the esteemed 2025 ICIS CEO of the Year Award. The announcement, made on September 2, 2025, highlights Dr. Al Jaber’s exceptional leadership and significant contributions to the global chemical and energy industries.
The award specifically recognizes his forward-thinking approach to meeting the rapidly expanding energy demands driven by artificial intelligence (AI). Dr. Al Jaber has been a driving force behind a pragmatic transformation of the global energy landscape, championing innovative solutions to ensure sustainable energy supply in an AI-enabled world.
In his acceptance, Dr. Al Jaber expressed his gratitude, stating, “I am deeply honoured to receive the ICIS CEO of the Year Award and sincerely thank my peers for their recognition of the efforts of the UAE and all my colleagues at ADNOC and XRG to help meet the world’s growing demand for energy and chemicals. ICIS continues to provide trusted insight and analysis on which our industry relies to make informed business decisions.”
Dean Curtis, CEO of ICIS, lauded Dr. Al Jaber’s impact, noting, “We are delighted to announce this award to the UAE’s Dr Sultan Al Jaber, based on recognition from peers of transformational moves in the global chemical industry, in building significant downstream capabilities from the company’s core strength in crude oil and gas. These include the launch of XRG, ADNOC’s international investment arm, which has an ambition to create a top-three global chemicals platform.”
Under Dr. Al Jaber’s leadership since 2016, ADNOC has undergone a significant transformation, evolving into an advanced and progressive international energy company. The company is now at the forefront of deploying AI and other advanced technologies across its operations.
Joseph Chang, Global Editor of ICIS Chemical Business, further emphasized the strategic importance of ADNOC’s initiatives: “Through its newly launched investment vehicle XRG, ADNOC will also make investments in the energy systems of the future to ensure energy remains a catalyst for sustainable growth and development.”
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The ICIS CEO of the Year Award is unique in the chemical industry as the winner is selected by peers through a vote among industry CEOs featured in the ICIS Top 40 Power Players, a global ranking of leaders making the most significant positive impact on their companies and the broader chemical industry.
