Featured Speakers

Dr. Xiansheng Sun served as the fourth Secretary General of the International Energy Forum (IEF), holding diplomatic rank as head of mission. He earned his master's, doctoral, and honorary doctoral degrees in Mineral Resources Law from the University of Dundee, UK. With an extensive career in energy policy and international cooperation, Dr. Sun previously held several senior leadership roles, including President of the CNPC Economics & Technology Research Institute, Founding President of the first batch of China’s national high-end think tanks (国家首批高端智库首任院长), Secretary General of the Asia Gas Market Forum (AGMF), Vice Chairman of the Northeast Asia Gas and Pipeline Forum (NAGPF), and Executive Vice Chairman of the Economics Committee of the Chinese Petroleum Society.

His advisory and governance roles span numerous prestigious organisations: Chairman of the Editorial Board for International Petroleum Economics; Chairman of China Petroleum Business News; Advisor to the China-Russia Vice-Premier Dialogue Mechanism; Expert for the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC); Member of the Strategic Committee of the Shanghai Futures Exchange; Founding Member of the London Energy Club; and Judge for the Global Energy Prize.

He is also the Founder and Honorary Chairman of the Beijing International Energy Summit, Senior Advisor to the World Energy University Alliance, and Chairman of the International Society for Energy Transition Studies (ISETS).

Dr. Sun has been a prominent figure in global energy dialogues, having participated in four G20 Energy Ministers' Meetings, attended two Belt and Road Forums (chairing three energy roundtable sessions), hosted seven consecutive China International Import Expos (CIIE), and presided over the China Petroleum International Cooperation Forum and associated signing ceremonies. Additionally, he moderated five editions of the "Hello! Future Energy" Golden Microphone interview series for the energy publication under the People's Daily.

His leadership in major international events includes organising and chairing the 15th and 16th IEF Ministerial Meetings (Algeria and India) and leading the 7th and 8th IEF Asian Energy Ministerial Meetings (Thailand and UAE).

With extensive hands-on experience in international energy projects, Dr. Sun has served as Chairman and General Manager for multiple CNPC overseas operations. He has actively engaged with key global energy organisations — including the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) — led negotiations for numerous international cooperation projects, delivered keynote speeches at major global conferences, and authored over 30 academic papers.