ISTANBUL

The İstanbul Energy Forum concluded Friday after hosting minister-level participants from 10 countries, representatives from international organizations, domestic and foreign non-governmental organizations, academics and prominent figures from the business world.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivered the keynote speech at the key session held at the Istanbul Congress Center under the main theme of "Common Future, Common Goals."

Highlighting the official launch of the Turkish-language version of Anadolu's Energy Terminal during the event, Erdogan said, "We are pleased to observe that the Energy Terminal, which has been operating in English since 2014, has become a reference source for media outlets and industry stakeholders with more than 6,000 news published annually. I congratulate our Agency for this successful project and hope that the number of such visionary works will continue to increase."

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar, Presidential Communications Director Fahrettin Altun and Anadolu’s Chairman and Director General Serdar Karagoz also addressed the session.

Ministers’ session focuses on global energy developments

The high-level panel discussion, "Challenges and Opportunities for a Resilient Future," moderated by Bayraktar brought together Azerbaijan's Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov, Bulgaria's Energy Minister Vladimir Malinov, Georgian First Vice Prime Minister and Economy and Sustainable Development Minister Levan Davitashvili, Hungary's Foreign and Trade Minister Peter Szijjarto, Moldova's Energy Minister Victor Parlicov, Libya's Oil and Gas Minister Khalifa Rajab Abdulsadek, Serbia's Energy, Mines Minister Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic and Uzbekistan's Energy Minister Jurabek Mirzamahmudov.

Special session on Türkiye's role in gas supply

A special session, "New Dynamics of Gas Security: Regional Perspectives," highlighted Türkiye's position in natural gas supply and the role of the Petroleum Pipeline Corporation (BOTAS). Moderated by Deputy Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Ahmet Berat Conkar, the session featured speakers such as Russian Deputy Energy Minister Pavel Sorokin, BOTAŞ Chairman and General Manager Abdulvahit Fidan and industry leaders from Azerbaijani state-owned gas and oil company, SOCAR, Oman LNG and OMV from Austria.

The session explored critical topics in the energy sector, including supply security and regional energy dynamics.

Technology, financing, energy transition on agenda

Another key session, "Prospects for New Technologies and Fuels in a Smart Energy Transition," was moderated by Elif Dusmez Tek, president of the Energy Digitalization Association. Panelists included industry leaders and academics from the Istanbul Institute Center for Energy and Climate (IICEC), SHURA and the International Energy Agency.

Discussions extended to the financing of energy transition in a session moderated by TRT World’s Auskar Surbakti. Representatives from the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the International Finance Corporation and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) explored priorities and expectations for funding energy transition projects.

Closing remarks and evaluation

The forum concluded with the "Acknowledgment and Review" session held by Anadolu.

Anadolu’s Energy News Director Oguzhan Ozsoy emphasized the event’s success.

"The İstanbul Energy Forum which was held for the first time this year, has played a crucial role in addressing the future of the energy sector, examining regional Dynamics, and fostering dialogue on the global stage,” he said.

The Forum was organized by Anadolu under the auspices of the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry,

By Duygu Alhan