Since its founding in 1993, the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy at Rice University has become a leading institution advancing effective, nonpartisan foreign and domestic policy. Located in Houston, Texas, the energy capital of the world, one of the institute's hallmarks since its early years has been its independent research program on energy issues. In 1996, the Baker Institute established the Energy Forum, a multifaceted policy program that promotes original, forward-looking discussion and research on the energy-related challenges facing our society in the 21st century. Our choice of the word “forum” is deliberate. It reflects our goal to serve as a focal point for the exchange of ideas on how to improve understanding of the complex political, cultural, religious, economic and social forces that influence open access to energy resources and their equitable distribution. The mission of the Energy Forum is to promote the development of informed and realistic public policy choices in the energy area by educating policymakers and the public about important trends — both regional and global — that shape the nature of global energy markets and influence the quantity and security of vital supplies needed to fuel world economic growth and prosperity.

Rather than focus exclusively on either the theory or practice of energy policy, Energy Forum research synthesizes both by drawing together experts from academia, the energy industry, government, the media and nongovernmental organizations. To develop its energy policy analysis and recommendations, the Energy Forum draws on Rice University 's interdisciplinary expertise in environmental engineering, energy sustainability, economics, political science, geology, nanotechnology, architecture, sociology, anthropology and religious studies.

Through our major energy studies and our workshops, seminars and lectures on a wide variety of topics, such as global energy geopolitics and sector regulation, energy forecasting, the politics of the Persian Gulf, petrodollar recycling, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), U.S. oil sanctions, alternative energy sources, energy and the environment, emerging technological advances, and energy demand trends, the Baker Institute has established itself as the leading university-based think tank on energy geopolitics and policy. Outstanding scholars from around the world have contributed to Baker Institute energy programs, including researchers from Japan, China, Russia, South Korea, Britain, the Middle East and Latin America.

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Distinguished Visitors and Guests

Many senior statesmen and energy industry leaders have visited the Baker Institute Energy Forum to discuss a variety of public policy issues with its members. Some of the leaders that have visited include:

• Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation

• Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar

• Nursultan Nazarbayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan

• Olusegun Obasanjo, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

• Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea
• Abdelaziz Bouteflika, President, People's Democratic Republic of Algeria

• His Royal Highness Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Saudi Arabia

• Sheikh Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, Second Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Energy & Industry, State of Qatar

• Chakib Khelil, Minister of Energy and Mines, People's Democratic Republic of Algeria

• His Excellency Mohamed Bin Dhaen Al Hamli, Minister of Energy , United Arab Emirates (UAE), and President, OPEC

• Alan Greenspan, Chairman, Federal Reserve System

• The Honorable John Kerry, United States Senator from Massachusetts

• The Honorable Francisco J. Salazar, Chairman of the Mexican Energy Regulatory Commission

• John Holdren, Assistant to the President for Science and Technology, President Barack Obama Administration
  
• T. Boone Pickens, Founder, Chairman and CEO, BP Capital, L.P.
  
• David Sandalow, author of "Freedom From Oil"
  
• The Honorable Gene Green, Representative of the 29th District of Texas, U.S. House of Representatives

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