Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber is the UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology.

Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), warned that any attempt to disrupt the Strait of Hormuz would have serious global consequences, describing it as “economic terrorism.” Speaking at the global energy conference CERAWeek in Houston on Sunday (March 23), Al Jaber said the strategic waterway is vital to the global economy and must remain open. “Energy security is not just a slogan, it’s the difference between lights on and lights off,” he said. He highlighted the scale of the Strait’s importance, noting that around 20 million barrels of oil pass through it daily, along with significant volumes of gas, fertilisers, petrochemicals, and industrial materials. “When Hormuz is squeezed, the pressure is immediately felt around the world,” he said, adding that oil prices have already risen sharply in recent weeks, increasing the cost of living and slowing economic growth globally. Al Jaber said the impact goes beyond energy markets, affecting industries and households worldwide. “In just three weeks, the price of oil has risen by 50 percent. This is raising the cost of living for those who can least afford it and slowing economic growth everywhere. From factories, to farms, to families around the world, the human cost is mounting by the day." He stressed that the UAE has taken steps to prevent conflict but remains prepared to respond when needed, adding that the country’s resilience is the result of long-term planning and investment. “Our defenses have been tested. Our resilience has been tested. Our character has been tested. And we withstood,” he said. Al Jaber also highlighted ADNOC’s efforts to maintain operations despite challenges, saying the company is taking extraordinary measures to ensure safety and continuity of supply. He called for global cooperation to maintain stability, saying energy security is a shared responsibility. The remarks come as tensions in the region raise concerns over the safety of global energy supply routes. ICA/Expat Media
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