Número 8 - Janeiro 2006 - Faap

Transition into the future
Abdallah S. Jum’ah *
Summary: This text of a lecture discusses the transition to the future,
in particular to a new energy future. The author views change
differently for three important reasons. First, the pace of change
continues to accelerate, whether we look at advances in technology,
improvements in standards of living, or political and economic
developments. Secondly, the phenomenon of globalization means
that events in one part of the world have the potential to profoundly
affect people on the other side of the planet, whether for a day or
for many decades. A third factor is the increased criticality of energy
to our daily lives, whether as individuals, as communities or as
nations. In the author’s view, the responsible course in the decades
to come is to phase in realistic alternatives while developing and
deploying cleaner, more efficient uses of hydrocarbons and associated
technologies. The author stresses that the cause of supply stability
will be helped by creating regional stability in the Middle East, and
by seeking a fair and just solution to the Palestinian. By addressing
the root causes of suffering and injustice in the Middle East, the
global community can make a real contribution toward ensuring
the long-term wellbeing of all of the region’s peoples. The author
also dismisses as unfounded the opinion of outside analysts who
have gone beyond political questions into the realm of technical
affairs, and have also questioned the ability of the Middle East’s
producers to keep pace with mushrooming demand.
Keywords: Energy future, oil supply and its alternatives, Middle
East oil, oil related political questions.
I am honored to be with you today, and to have this opportunity to address
some of the future leaders of this great country, as well as their teachers and
mentors. I would like to thank the staff and faculty of FAAP for their kind
invitation and for their tremendous hospitality-just the kind of warm reception
I have found to be typical of Brazil and the Brazilian people.
Hospitality is part of our culture in Saudi Arabia as well, but that is not the
only thing Brazil and the Arab world share. Some eight million Brazilians trace
their roots to the Middle East, and Brazil today has more citizens of Syrian
origin than does Damascus, and boasts more inhabitants of Lebanese origin
than all of Lebanon. The first Arabic-language newspaper in the country began
publishing in São Paulo in 1897, and this city is also home to South America’s
oldest mosque [founded in 1955]. In the contemporary Arabic literature, we
are enriched by the works of several prominent Arab poets and intellectuals who
* Abdallah S. Jum’ah is President and Chief Executive Officer, Saudi Aramco, a company responsible for
virtually all of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s petroleum operations, now producing around 10.5 million
barrels of oil daily. This text reproduces a lecture at FAAP on April 28 th , 2005.
Transition into the future, Abdallah S. Jum´ah, p. 33-40.
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