2014 is a very significant year for the Caspian countries. The 20th anniversary of the Contract of the Century signed in Baku on September 20, 1994 under the leadership of Nationwide Leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev will be celebrated solemnly this year.
It is noteworthy that the Caspian Energy journal which has been enlightening the oil strategy of the Caspian states on its pages is also celebrating its 15th jubilee. In this regard, Caspian European Club and Caspian Energy International Media Group organize forums demonstrating economic sectors’ performance figures achieved owing to the Contract of the Century. The forums will be held quarterly in several countries of the world.
The first International Caspian Energy Forum – 2014 was held in Baku on April 23. Participation of 300 delegates from 50 countries of the world in this event proves a high status of I International Caspian Energy Forum. Caspian Energy International Media Group was an organizer of the forum held under support of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Milli Majlis (parliament) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, SOCAR (State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic), Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies of the Republic of Azerbaijan, State Committee for Standardization, Metrology and Patent of the Republic of Azerbaijan, State Customs Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan, State Migration Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Embassy of the United States to the Republic of Azerbaijan and Caspian European Club (CEIBC).
Akkord Industry Construction Investment Corporation OJSC is a platinum sponsor of the forum. Cross Caspian Oil & Gas Logistics LLC is a silver sponsor. Bronze sponsors are SOCAR-AQS, Caspian Wireline Services, Atropatena, Schnieder Electric, R.I.S.K. Company, Pasha Insurance, Azersun Holding, Improtex Travel (official travel agency), BestComp Group (official IT partner), Azertexnolayn and SNF Vostok LLC.
Chief Executive Officer of the Caspian European Club Telman Aliyev rendered an opening speech at the Forum.
The first and the second sessions were dedicated to oil&gas issues. The sessions covered such topics as “EU’s energy security through cooperation with the Caspian-Black Sea region states”, “Natural gas and unconventional natural gas – major energy carrier of the 21st century - exploration and production prospects in the Caspian”, “Innovative service technologies in the Caspian – the key for successful exploration and environmentally friendly drilling”. The first session was held under the chairmanship of Minister of Energy of Azerbaijan Natig Aliyev. Khoshbakht Yusifzade, First Vice-President for Geology, Geophysics and Field Development of the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan, chaired at the second session.
The thematic forums, Caspian European Financial Forum, Caspian European IT Forum, Caspian European Industry Forum and Caspian European Infrastructure Forum, were held within the framework of the Caspian Energy Forum in the second half of the day. Considered were such topics as “Economic globalization: advantages and disadvantages for Azerbaijan’s economy”, “Development of the non-oil sector: Potential of development of industry, quality infrastructure, transport and tourism in Azerbaijan”, “ICT innovations of the 21st century in Azerbaijan”, “Post-crisis global financial system and financial policy of Azerbaijan”, “Credit and financial policy of the government and economic stability” and “Government support for projects of small and medium level businesses”. These forums were chaired by Ziyad Samadzade, Chairman of the Committee on Economic Policy of Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
The event held in Baku was attended by heads of governmental structures agencies, ministries, committees and departments of Azerbaijan as well as countries of the Caspian-Black Sea and Baltic regions, representatives of diplomatic missions and missions of international organizations accredited in the Republic of Azerbaijan, top managers of large international companies.
