Enhancing Accountability And Gender Parity In The Energy Sector

Strong Leadership And Clear Vision

Josie Christodoulou called on energy sector leaders to strengthen accountability and decision-making processes during EGYPES 2026. Speaking in Cairo, she said women’s participation in decision-making remains a factor in governance and sector performance.

Driving Innovation Through Empowered Teams

During the session “The Power Of Accountability And Action Centred Leadership,” part of the Leadership and Development stream, Christodoulou outlined the role of accountability, clear decision-making, and timely execution in organisational performance. She said increased female representation in leadership positions can support decision-making and contribute to responses to energy and climate challenges.

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Addressing Gender Disparities In The Sector

Christodoulou referred to the continued underrepresentation of women in the energy sector, including in senior roles, and noted that pay differences remain an issue. She called for measures aimed at improving participation and representation across the industry.

Industry Leaders And Collaborative Dialogues

The session also featured Hany Esmat and Mavis Anagboso, who discussed leadership practices and workforce development in the energy sector. Their participation reflected broader industry engagement with governance and organisational challenges.

EGYPES 2026: A Nexus For Energy Transformation

The event took place from March 30 to April 1 at the Egypt International Exhibition Center in Cairo and brought together more than 2,200 delegates and 350 speakers. The programme included 94 sessions, two roundtables, and two specialised conferences focused on regional energy developments.

Strategic Engagements And Future Directions

On the sidelines, Christodoulou held meetings with Poly Ioannou, Amal Amar, and Marwa Allam El Din. Discussions focused on gender representation, cooperation, and regional initiatives, including the EmpowerMed Women network of the East Mediterranean Gas Forum.

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Meta’s $18 Billion Settlement Limits State Claims Over Children’s Data

by News Editor

August 28, 2026

Meta’s $18 billion settlement with attorneys general from 29 U.S. states includes a provision limiting future state claims over the company’s use of children’s data for age-assurance systems.

Under the agreement, Meta must develop, train and begin testing a system to identify users under 13 within a year of the settlement taking effect. The company already uses AI-based age-detection tools, although the agreement does not require the new system to use AI.

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States Agree To Limits On Future Claims

The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) generally restricts the collection and retention of personal data from children under 13. Under the settlement, the 29 state attorneys general agreed not to bring past, present or future claims under COPPA or similar state laws over the specified use of children’s data.

Meta will not be permitted to use information from users under 13 for advertising, marketing or algorithmic optimisation.

Federal Enforcement Remains Unclear

COPPA is primarily enforced by the Federal Trade Commission, which is not a party to the agreement. That leaves open the possibility of separate federal action over how Meta collects or uses children’s data.

Another issue is whether Meta can keep age-assurance data isolated from its other systems. An independent auditor will monitor compliance, but the settlement does not fully specify what data Meta can retain for training, how long it can be stored or whether derived insights can be used elsewhere.

Legal Risks Remain

Joshua Wurtzel, a partner at Schlam Stone & Dolan, said states could still pursue claims if Meta uses the data outside the settlement’s limits. Such cases could depend on how those limits are interpreted.

Peter Jackson, a data and intellectual property attorney at Greenberg Glusker, said the provision could “disincentivize future enforcement actions.”

The agreement gives Meta greater legal certainty around using children’s data for age assurance, but questions remain over federal enforcement, data retention and secondary use.

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