Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference, the UAE's key annual energy event, will take place from November 15 to 18 this year. The event, which was held online last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, will return to in-person format and take place a week later than its usual dates. The organisers have pushed back the event by a week to accommodate the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), which will be held in Glasgow, UK. This year's theme will focus on "long-term energy use growth, decarbonisation and pressures to meet climate change obligations", the organisers said. Adipec 2021 will be "a unique gathering of those at the forefront of the post Covid-19 recovery and those who have a responsibility for ensuring the world has access to the energy it needs to deliver a sustainable and prosperous future for everyone", Adipec chairman Omar Al Suwaidi said. Around 51 national, international and energy services companies are expected to a part of the event, which is set to host 25 country pavilions featuring 2,200 exhibiting firms. Last year, Adipec, which was held online, attracted more than 80,000 attendees to its various webinars and panel sessions featuring prominent energy executives and policymakers. Around 20 government ministers and 70 oil company chief executives spoke at the event, including Opec secretary-general Mohammad Barkindo and International Energy Agency executive director Fatih Birol. The event addressed key industry challenges following a difficult year for the oil and gas industry due to the pandemic.