Saudi Arabia: Attendance at 25th WPC Energy Congress in Saudi down after Houthi attacks.

Shotlist Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Oct 13, 2026 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland) 1. Various of people, banners outside venue for 25th World Petroleum Council (WPC) Energy Congress 2. Various of exhibition booths, visitors 3. SOUNDBITE (English) participant (name not given): "About this attack and all the things, I cannot say many much things because I have been here for a month for this event. So I don't know anything about this. I cannot tell you." 4. Various of people, buildings at Diriyah Storyline The 25th World Petroleum Council (WPC) Energy Congress underway in Riyadh has been disrupted by Houthi attacks targeting King Khalid International Airport, prompting several major international energy giants to withdraw their representatives from in-person attendance. The major, five-day global petroleum industry gathering opened Sunday in Riyadh, bringing together energy executives and government officials from around the world at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Center, some 10 kilometers from King Khalid International Airport. However, continuous Houthi strikes on the airport and widespread disruptions to international flights forced many participants to alter their travel plans. Senior executives from ExxonMobil, TotalEnergies, Shell and BP canceled their plans to attend the event. Many attendees at the congress venue also avoided discussing the strikes on Riyadh, viewing the topic as overly sensitive. "About this attack and all the things, I cannot say many much things because I have been here for a month for this event. So I don't know anything about this. I cannot tell you," said a participant. Beyond the high-profile international gathering, Saudi tourism has also borne the brunt of heightened tensions. Diriyah, one of Riyadh's most prominent tourist landmarks, has seen a marked drop in visitor numbers, particularly international tourists, compared with normal levels. Growing its international tourism sector has been one of Saudi Arabia's key economic priorities in recent years, but repeated Houthi attacks are disrupting the tourism industry and other commercial activities in the country.