The assumptions that underpinned the post-Cold War era are increasingly being tested, and many of the rules that once appeared settled now seem open to question. Speaking at the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Forum 2026, Majid Jafar and Fred Kempe explored whether the world is entering a new geopolitical era and what that could mean for the global economy in the decades ahead.
Energy sits at the center of how economies function and how outcomes are shaped.
Real-world experience shows that energy cannot be viewed in isolation. It influences industrial growth, investment, infrastructure development, and broader societal stability.
As global energy systems evolve, the challenge is not only to expand supply responsibly, but to build resilient frameworks capable of supporting long-term economic growth while adapting to changing environmental and geopolitical realities.
Healthcare is one of the clearest examples of how interconnected ecosystems determine successful outcomes.
Advances in research and innovation only happen when academia, and patients come together.
In practice, progress depends on more than isolated breakthroughs. everyone coming together is where meaningful, scalable impact happens.
Education shapes society in a ways that are often underestimated.
Strong institutions, access to opportunity, and alignment with evolving industry needs are essential to building sustainable growth.
Without that foundation, systemic skills gaps persist and become increasingly difficult to address over time.
“The world’s greatest challenges cannot be solved in silos. They require collaboration across business, government, and society.”
CEO, Crescent Petroleum
Vice Chairman, Crescent Group
Majid Jafar is the CEO of Crescent Petroleum, the Middle East’s oldest and largest private upstream oil and gas company.
He is also Vice-Chairman of the Crescent Group, a family-owned business with interests spanning energy, port management, logistics, venture capital, private equity, and real estate, and Managing Director of the Board of Dana Gas (PJSC), the Middle East’s leading listed private-sector natural gas company, in which Crescent Petroleum is the largest shareholder. Majid began his career at Shell International in London, working in the Exploration & Production and Gas & Power divisions.
Long-term energy systems, infrastructure development, energy security, and responsible transition.
Institutional coordination, innovation ecosystems, scalable healthcare systems, and long-term resilience.
Capability building, access to opportunity, institutional strength, and future workforce readiness.