H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince, Fujairah, presented the 2026 International Energy Journalism Awards (IEJA) in Fujairah
Journalists from CNN Business Arabic, The National, Semafor Gulf Recognized
H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince, Fujairah, presented the 9th International Energy Journalism Awards (IEJA), recognizing the 2026 winners for their outstanding contributions to the Middle East’s largest industry: energy.
Established in 2017, the IEJA Awards were initiated by the GCC Secretariat as part of a strategic effort to raise the standards of media reporting on regional energy markets and improve corporate communications within industry. A white paper commissioned at the time emphasized the importance of fact-based reporting and discouraging speculation that could fuel market volatility.
This year’s IEJA honorees include Amir Goumaa, Executive Producer, CNN Business Arabic, awarded in the Middle East Media – Arabic Language category, and Jennifer Gnana, Assistant Business Editor, The National, who won in the Middle East Media – English Language category. Lauren Holtmeier, Senior Middle East Energy Editor Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, was named best journalist in the International Energy Industry Specialist Media category. Mohammed Sergei, Editor, Semafor Gulf was named in the International Financial Media category.
In addition, the prestigious International Energy Journalism Lifetime Achievement Award 2026 will be presented to Andrew Critchlow, Head of Energy News, Dow Jones Energy, in recognition of his distinguished career and contribution to energy journalism. With more than 26 years of experience covering energy, commodities and geopolitics, Critchlow has held senior editorial roles at S&P Global, Reuters Breakingviews, The Daily Telegraph, Bloomberg News and Middle East Economic Digest. His reporting has covered major developments including OPEC, the 2003 Iraq invasion and the Arab Spring, while his career has also included award-winning investigative reporting and serving as The Wall Street Journal’s Bureau Chief in Australia.
“Congratulations to this year’s outstanding IEJA winners, whose journalism brings clarity, context and insight to an energy industry that never stands still. Their reporting helps illuminate the forces shaping markets, policy and geopolitics across the region and beyond. Together, this year’s honourees demonstrate the vital role that rigorous, independent reporting plays in helping the industry understand an increasingly complex energy world,” said Dyala Sabbagh, Chairperson of the IEJA International Selection Committee and Editor in Chief of Gulf Intelligence.
The IEJA Awards also recognized excellence in corporate communications, with Iain Cracknell, Vice President, Communications, ADNOC Drilling, named 2026 Energy Industry Corporate Communications Executive of the Year.
The awards ceremony took place during the 14th Fujairah Energy Markets Forum, held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamad Bin Mohammed Al-Sharqi, Supreme Council Member & Ruler of Fujairah. Global energy leaders in attendance included H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry & Advanced Technology, MD & Group CEO of ADNOC, Executive Chairman of XRG & Chairman of Masdar, H.E. Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, UAE, H.E. Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, Bahrain; Ahmad Bin Thalith, CEO, ADNOC Global Trading; Ang Wee Keong, CEO, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore; Guy Moeyens, CEO, VTTI; David Bird, Managing Director and CEO, Dangote Refinery; and Tom Baker, Head of Middle East, Vitol.
This annual gathering in Fujairah convened 300 senior executives and policymakers responsible for the Middle East’s oil and gas trading, storage, marketing, and shipping industries. The leaders exchanged insights into the key trends impacting their sector across the East of Suez markets.
