5th Energy Transition Forum 2024 Distinguished Confirmed Speakers Include

Banai Károly (61) is a Hungarian national and Swiss resident with an MSc in Economics, specializing in International Relations. He has completed all his PhD exams and is currently finalizing his dissertation. He began his career in the Hungarian Foreign Service in 1990, where he served for over 20 years in various positions, primarily in the multilateral arena. His expertise spans OSCE, UN, NATO, EU, arms control, and disarmament.

Károly has held significant roles, including serving as DCM at the Hungarian Mission to NATO, Ambassador to the EU, and Ambassador to the United Nations in Vienna. He played a key role in the negotiations for Hungary's accession to NATO and the EU. Additionally, he has been a foreign and security policy advisor at the state secretary level to two former Hungarian Prime Ministers.

In 2011, Károly left the Foreign Service and transitioned to the private sector, working in various positions in the energy industry. He is currently the Director of Government Relations and Public Affairs at the Switzerland-based MET Group, a leading European energy trading company. In 2023, MET Group had consolidated group revenue of 24.5 billion euros. The company imported over 30 LNG cargoes, traded 68 TWh of electricity, had a gas traded volume of 88 BCM, and boasted 390 MW capacity of renewable energy production with an additional 850 MW under development. MET Group also managed 564 MW CCGT/OCGT, 75 MW cogeneration capacity, 3.7 TWh gas storage capacity, 31 MW power-to-heat, and 8 MWh battery electricity storage.

(Married, proud father of 2 children. )