Caspian Policy Center Hosts 5th Annual Business Forum in New York
里海政策中心在纽约举办第五届商业论坛
NEW YORK, September 24 – 5th Annual Caspian Business Forum Highlights Regional Connectivity, Green Transition, and Energy Security
The Caspian Policy Center (CPC), in partnership with the embassies of Caspian region nations, hosted its 5th Annual Caspian Business Forum at the Harvard Club in New York City on September 24. The high-level event brought together policymakers, diplomats, business leaders, and scholars from the U.S. and the Caspian region to explore emerging trade, energy, and infrastructure opportunities across the South Caucasus and Central Asia, with special focus on regional connectivity and the upcoming COP29 agenda.
In his opening remarks, CPC President Efgan Nifti highlighted the Caspian region’s growing significance in global markets and supply chains. He noted that the U.S. and G7, through the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI), have advanced regional investments, including nearly $600 million in loans to Kazakhstan’s national railway this year. The EU’s Global Gateway Initiative also pledged €10 billion for Central Asia, primarily in transit infrastructure.
Nifti emphasized the strategic importance of cross-border corridors such as the Middle Corridor and stressed that green energy transition is a key driver for regional cooperation and economic opportunities. “With Azerbaijan hosting COP29 this November, the green energy transition will be critical for the Caspian region’s future,” he said.
Keynote speakers reinforced these priorities. U.S. Special Envoy Geoffrey Pyatt discussed the impact of the Russia–Ukraine war on global energy security, calling for stronger intra- and interregional energy connectivity. Kubanychbek Omuraliev, Secretary-General of the Organization of Turkic States, highlighted the strategic significance of the Trans-Caspian International Corridor and the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, and announced the upcoming launch of the “Turkic Green Region Alliance” at the Bishkek summit.
The ministerial session featured senior officials from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Türkiye, and Kazakhstan, addressing renewable energy, methane reduction, port development, and SME growth. Georgia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Lasha Darsalia highlighted the country’s role in the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and Southern Gas Corridor. Azerbaijan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Elnur Mammadov underscored the importance of green financing and renewables. Kazakhstan Presidential Advisor Zulfiya Suleimenova reported a 70% reduction in gas combustion intensity and active promotion of regional climate cooperation. Orkhan Mammadov, Chairman of Azerbaijan’s SME Development Agency, emphasized new opportunities arising from green transition and Karabakh reconstruction.
Anjali Kaur, USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator, highlighted U.S. support for a Central Asia regional electricity market, noting over $24 million invested since 2021 in customs harmonization, transport corridors, and trade facilitation.
The forum highlighted the Caspian region’s emergence as a critical hub for global energy security, green transition, and trade connectivity, reaffirming its strategic position at the crossroads of East and West and opening new avenues for investment and cooperation.
Written by: WINNY POWER
纽约9月24日讯——第五届里海商业论坛在纽约成功举办
由**里海政策中心（CPC）主办、里海地区各国大使馆协办的第五届里海商业论坛于9月24日在纽约哈佛俱乐部隆重举行。论坛汇聚了来自美国及里海地区的政界、商界和学术界领袖，共同探讨南高加索与中亚地区的新兴商业与能源格局，聚焦区域互联互通及即将召开的第29届联合国气候变化大会（COP29）**议程。
CPC主席**埃夫甘·尼夫提（Efgan Nifti）**在开幕致辞中指出，南高加索与中亚在全球市场和供应链中发挥着关键作用。他强调，美国与七国集团通过“全球基础设施与投资伙伴关系”（PGI）推动对该地区的投资，仅今年6月就向哈萨克斯坦国家铁路公司提供近6亿美元贷款。欧盟“全球门户”倡议亦承诺向中亚注入100亿欧元，主要用于交通基础设施建设。
尼夫提强调，“中部走廊”等跨境交通走廊的战略意义，并指出绿色能源转型已成为推动区域合作与商业发展的关键动力。“随着阿塞拜疆将在今年11月主办COP29，绿色能源转型对里海地区未来发展至关重要。”
主旨演讲环节，美国国务院前能源事务助卿Geoffrey Pyatt谈及俄乌战争对全球能源安全的影响，呼吁加强里海地区能源互联互通。突厥国家组织秘书长Kubanychbek Omuraliev强调“中部走廊”及“中吉乌铁路”对区域合作的重要性，并宣布将在即将召开的比什凯克峰会上推出“突厥绿色地区联盟”倡议。
部长级对话环节，来自阿塞拜疆、格鲁吉亚、土耳其及哈萨克斯坦的高级官员分享了能源安全、可再生能源投资、基础设施建设及中小企业发展策略。格鲁吉亚副外长Lasha Darsalia指出格鲁吉亚在巴库-第比利斯-杰伊汉输油管道及南部天然气走廊项目中的核心作用；阿塞拜疆副外长Elnur Mammadov强调绿色融资与可再生能源的重要性。哈萨克斯坦总统顾问Zulfiya Suleimenova表示，该国已将天然气燃烧强度降低70%，积极推动区域气候合作；阿塞拜疆中小企业发展署主席Orkhan Mammadov指出绿色转型与卡拉巴赫重建带来的新商机。
美国国际开发署（USAID）副助理署长Anjali Kaur表示，美国正协助中亚建立区域电力市场，自2021年以来已投入超过2400万美元支持跨境贸易、投资便利化及“跨里海走廊”改进项目。
本次论坛聚焦能源安全、区域互联互通与绿色转型，凸显里海地区在全球供应链与能源格局中的战略地位，并为美国及全球投资者提供新的合作机遇。
撰稿：WINNY POWER
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