Celebrating 30 Years of U.S.- Caspian Diplomatic Relations

529 14th Street Northwest,Washington DC 20045

05 May, 2022

Description

Celebrating 30 Years of U.S.- Caspian Diplomatic Relations May 5, 2022 The National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Afternoon Economic Engagement Panels 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Plated Gala Dinner 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM The Caspian Policy Center is proud to host the "Celebrating 30 Years of U.S.- Caspian Diplomatic Relations" event to honor the 30th anniversary of the partnership between the United States and the countries of the Caspian region. With the support of the embassies of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, the celebration will bring together policymakers, business leaders, and members of the academic community at the National Press Club to honor the accomplishments of U.S.-Caspian relationship over the past three decades. Panel 1 – Energy and Infrastructure Connectivity 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM As the countries of the Caspian continue to grow and prosper, there are unique opportunities to improve energy efficiency and explore new production sources. To examine energy infrastructure integration in the Caspian region, the Caspian Policy Center has invited business leaders with experience in the region’s unique environment to discuss their perspectives on what has worked well in the past 30 years and what can still be improved upon. Demand for both energy and infrastructure improvement in the region provides exciting new possibilities of partnership as the world grapples with the needs of the clean energy transition and growing global energy demand. 1:00 pm – 1:05 pm Opening Remarks Efgan Nifti, Chief Executive Officer, Caspian Policy Center 1:05 pm – 1:20 pm Keynote Session Moderator: Ambassador (ret.) Robert F. Cekuta, Senior Fellow, Caspian Policy Center. Senior U.S. Department of State Representative 1:20 pm – 2:10 pm Panel Discussion Moderator: Ambassador (ret.) Robert F. Cekuta, Senior Fellow, Caspian Policy Center Senior U.S. Department of State Representative Robert Scher, Head of International Affairs, BP America Elshad Nassirov, Vice President for Investments and Marketing, SOCAR (Invited) Hisashi Inoue, Senior Representative of the Japan Bank of International Cooperation, Washington Office 2:10 pm – 2:15 pm Closing Remarks Efgan Nifti, Chief Executive Officer, Caspian Policy Center. Panel 2 – Agriculture and Food Security in the Caspian Region 2:30 PM - 3:45 PM Agricultural production has been a staple of the Caspian region since independence, and today American high-tech agricultural firms are working with the region to develop solutions to tomorrow’s problems. The Caspian Policy Center has gathered experts in agricultural policy, business, and technology communities to explore cutting edge agricultural techniques employed across the Caspian and the new demands and rigors of food security. The panel will serve as an opportunity to exchange ideas and discuss the shared challenges of climate conscious agriculture and rising food commodity prices. 2:30 pm – 2:50 pm Opening Remarks Moderator: Ambassador (ret.) Allan Mustard, Senior Fellow, Caspian Policy Center. 2:50 pm – 3:40 pm Panel Discussion Moderator: Ambassador (ret.) Allan Mustard, Senior Fellow, Caspian Policy Center Representative of Valmont Inc. (Invited) Emil Majidov, Advisor to the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan Elena Son, Executive Director of the AUCC, USKGZBC, USTJBC, and USABI Paul Trupo, Senior Director of Global Market Analysis, Foreign Agricultural Service Representative of the Kazakhstani Ministry of Agriculture (Invited) Representative of the U.S.-Georgia Chamber of Commerce 3:40 pm – 4:45 pm Closing Remarks Efgan Nifti, Chief Executive Officer, Caspian Policy Center. Gala Dinner – Enhancing the U.S.-Caspian Strategic Partnership 6:00 PM -9:30 PM From 1991 to 2021 the United States and the Caspian region have both changed dramatically. From the beginning of the U.S.-Caspian partnership, all parties have worked together to build a safer and more prosperous world. In 1991, much like 2021, the world witnessed major geopolitical shifts. In the past the United States and the Caspian region successfully navigated the challenges and crises that emerged because of a strong and ever-growing partnership. The tests of the next thirty years will not be the same as those of the previous, but a robust relationship between the United States and the countries of the region will be of critical importance. The Caspian Policy Center will host a reception and seated dinner on Enhancing the U.S.-Caspian Strategic Partnership in celebration of its fifth anniversary as serving as an intermediary and the thirtieth anniversary of the region’s independence. 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm Welcome Reception Attendees will gather in the Ballroom for informal conversation and the opportunity to appreciate embassy tables. 7:15 pm – 7:45 pm Keynote remarks Efgan Nifti introduces the two speakers. 7:15 – 7:30 Jake Sullivan, Senior Representative from the U.S. National Security Council (suggested) 7:30- 7:45 Jose Fernandez, Senior Representative from the U.S. Department of State (suggested) 8:00 pm – 8:45 pm Moderated Discussion Moderator: Ambassador (ret.) Richard Hoagland, Senior Fellow, Caspian Policy Center Moderator will briefly introduce each guest and speak about CPC’s continuing role in the region. Embassy-nominated speakers will offer remarks for 5-7 minutes. Senior Representative from Armenia Senior Representative from Azerbaijan Senior Representative from Georgia Senior Representative from Kazakhstan Senior Representative from Kyrgyzstan Senior Representative from Tajikistan Senior Representative from Turkmenistan Senior Representative from Turkey Senior Representative from Uzbekistan 8:45 pm – 9:00 pm Continuation of Gala and Dinner 9:00 pm – 9:30 pm Closing Remarks and Thank You Efgan Nifti, Chief Executive Officer, Caspian Policy Center.