I am confident this series of events will further reinforce the dialogue on global cooperation in energy security and energy source diversification.

         Baku Energy Week encompasses prestigious events such as the 28th International Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition, the 11th Caspian International Power and Green Energy Exhibition, and the 28th Baku Energy Forum. This annual event has traditionally served as a forum for discussing issues related to the world's energy supply, such as promoting "green energy" initiatives and the need to diversify the world's energy supply.

         This year's Baku Energy Week coincides with the celebration of the 100th jubilee of Heydar Aliyev, the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people and founder of the independent Azerbaijani state. This is a remarkable event, for the role he played in the formation of the energy dialogue platform and exhibition activity in Azerbaijan is truly immense. The very first Caspian Oil&Gas exhibition coincided with the announcement of the national oil strategy developed under the supervision of the National Leader in 1994. With the Contract of the Century signed in the same year, Azerbaijan became a reliable provider of energy security and showed a successful example of cooperation with all foreign partners in the field of oil and gas and the export of energy resources. Currently, Azerbaijan is repeating its success in the history of oil and gas by implementing "green energy" export projects; lately, the continuous development of energy production technologies, combined with global climate goals, has boosted the transition to "green energy", one of the main trends of energy policy across the leading countries of the globe. Utilizing its abundant natural resources, our country heavily contributes to the global agenda by ramping up alternative and renewable energy production and promoting decarbonization and diversification of energy sources. In the medium outlook, Azerbaijan aims to become an exporter of both electricity generated from alternative sources and "green energy" as hydrogen.

         The national "green energy" development projects represent an important opportunity to create a "green energy corridor" that will match such large-scale projects as the renowned Southern Gas Corridor. The implementation of large-scale projects in the liberated territories, such as the creation of a "green energy" zone in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, will turn the country into a producer and exporter of alternative energy.
Given the increasing strategic importance of the Southern Gas Corridor from the energy transition perspective, the expansion of the TANAP and TAP projects has already become for Azerbaijan a pressing issue. The expansion of the Southern Gas Corridor until 2027 and other energy resource transportation challenges are further strengthening the strategic role our country plays in the diversified energy supply and energy security of our partners.

         Dear participants of the event,

         It has been a long time since Azerbaijan has been hosting this globally important event. I believe that years of experience will help the exhibition and forum both uncover new dimensions for our broad economic relations and boost effective cooperation in an atmosphere of mutual understanding, discussion and sharing of ideas.

         I wish further success to Baku Energy Week and say good luck for your future endeavors to you all!


                                  

                                                                                             





 

 
          Brought to life by the oil strategy implemented by National Leader Heydar Aliyev, the very man who had set in motion our development as a nation and ensured our energy independence, this exhibition and international energy cooperation platform has become the annals Azerbaijan's energy achievements have been written to.
          Azerbaijan has played an exceptional role in supplying the rich hydrocarbon resources of the Caspian Sea to the world market through diversified routes, bringing together seas, countries and continents with oil and gas projects, and making the Caspian basin an energy center of geostrategic importance.
          This year's exhibition and forum coincide with the origination of a new global energy architecture, built upon the diversification of safe and sustainable energy sources and routes, especially the development of "green energy". Led by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, our country has entered this new stage with initiatives that will strengthen its strategic position in regional and European energy security. The European Union has backed our initiatives related to the expansion of the Southern Gas Corridor, already a symbol of reliable energy supply, as well as the development and supply of renewable energy sources. This support is clearly seen in the last year's Memorandum of Understanding on a Strategic Partnership in the Field of Energy signed between Azerbaijan and the EU and the "Agreement on a strategic partnership in the field of green energy development and transmission between the Governments of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania and Hungary” attested by the president of the European Commission.
          Our contributions to this year's Exhibition and  Forum are represented by our activities related to the creation of up to 25GW "green energy" production capacities, the export of electricity, "green hydrogen" and ammonia based on the 157GW wind energy potential in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea, and the further integration of the Caspian Sea with Europe through the Black Sea subsea cable line.
          The possibilities of energy cooperation as part of the Southern Gas Corridor and the "green energy" corridor in the Caspian Basin suggest that the "Caspian Oil and Gas" exhibition and the "Baku Energy Forum" will be a platform of high importance for many years to come.
          I believe that Azerbaijan's leadership in the sector will render the Caspian region the center of "green energy" partnership, while our mutually beneficial cooperation will ensure the development and energy security of our countries.
          Once again, I sincerely congratulate you all on the occasion of the 28th International Caspian Oil and Gas exhibition and the Baku Energy Forum as part of Baku Energy Week, and would like to thank the organizers and wish all the participants success in their endeavors.
                                                                                   
          Best regards,
          Parviz Shahbazov
          Minister of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan

 

 
          This year, our nation celebrates the 100th jubilee of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, the author of Azerbaijan's new oil strategy. It was at his initiative that the very first international exhibition, branded Caspian Oil&Gas, was held on 24 May 1994. The Contract of the Century, signed on 20 September 1994, became the cornerstone of the new national oil strategy. Exhibitions and forums have created ample opportunities to discuss important energy issues in the Caspian region, and in the past years they have successfully carried out the mission of conveying the sustainable achievements of our new energy strategy to the world community.

          Drawing the interest of the international community from the very outset, Baku Energy Week has provided an effective platform in that it has helped establish reliable partnerships, discuss regional and global energy issues, and share advanced industry knowledge. Among the main issues to be discussed at this year's event are energy security, sustainable development of traditional energy resources, renewable energy sources, transition to green energy, the role of human capital in sustainable development, health, safety, and environment etc.

          With our country treading confidently a path of continuous progress under the wise and visionary leadership of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, it ensures economic development and energy security and plays an important role in the energy security of both the region and Europe through a diversified export and transportation system.

          In this regard, I would like to mention the Southern Gas Corridor project, one of the huge energy ventures of the 21st century that provides a new source and an alternative route for European countries. Ongoing active discussions on increasing its throughput, especially of TANAP and TAP pipelines, are another demonstration of its strategic importance.

          Of great significance in terms of expanding the export geography of Azerbaijani gas in this regard is the signing of the "Memorandum of Understanding on Strategic Partnership in the field of energy between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the European Union" in July 2022, the commissioning of the Greece-Bulgaria Gas Interconnector, and the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on the promotion of cooperation between SOCAR and transmission system operators of Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, and Slovakia (branded Solidarity Ring), as well as other projects foreseen in the outlook.

          Lauded as a reliable energy supplier around the globe, Azerbaijan today is taking necessary steps to develop renewable energy sources, apart from the development of its rich oil and gas fields. The signing in December 2022 of the "Agreement on strategic partnership in the field of development and transmission of green energy between the Governments of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania and Hungary" in Bucharest is yet another sign of the weight Azerbaijan gives to this issue.

          Today, the processes in energy markets and the rapid transformation of the global economy present new challenges for energy companies. Improving the business model, introducing innovative and digital technologies, and strengthening labor safety have become the top challenges of our time. Сlosely monitoring changes in energy markets and keeping global processes in mind, SOCAR has set its long-term goals and ways to achieve them based on 5 principles such as energy security, digitalization, business sustainability, efficiency, and energy transition. The implementation of digital energy technologies in our enterprises, as well as the expansion of the use of renewable energy sources, have been assumed as priority directions in our corporate strategy. The Joint Development and Cooperation

          Agreements we signed early this year on the development of renewable energy sources represent the main components of our long-term strategy.

          Dear participants of the event,

          I believe that Baku Energy Week, which brings together international energy companies and oil-gas and energy experts, will heavily contribute to the discussion of important issues such as global energy security, new opportunities for cooperation, and the regional economic development.

          With best wishes,

          Rovshan Najaf

          President, SOCAR
 

 
          Bringing together three individual events, Baku Energy Week provides a convenient opportunity to meet foreign companies and establish direct contacts with potential investors.
          The oil strategy developed by the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people, Heydar Aliyev brought our country fame of a reliable energy partner and exporter. Azerbaijan's energy strategy is being successfully implemented today along the green energy path shaped by President Ilham Aliyev. Among critical steps taken in that respect is the decision to transform our liberated territories into green energy zones. Agreements have been signed with foreign investors on green energy projects with a total capacity of over 25 gigawatts, enabling the use of the nation's enormous renewable energy potential. Strategic steps are being taken in cooperation with foreign partners towards unlocking Azerbaijan's 200 gigawatt green energy potential and turning our country into a green energy corridor.
          Just during the last year's session of Baku Energy Week in Shusha the parties signed important contracts to create new green energy capacities. I believe the special session to be held in Nakhchivan this year will see important steps taken towards turning the autonomous republic into a green energy zone as instructed by President Ilham Aliyev, with Baku Energy Week playing the role of an important platform to that end.
          The development of green energy sources in Azerbaijan and the resulting export capabilities must heavily contribute to Europe's energy security.
          Once again, I sincerely congratulate you on the inauguration of both the 11th Caspian International Power and Green Energy Exhibition and the Baku Energy Forum and wish you success in all your endeavors.

          Best regards,
          Javid Abdullayev
          Director, State Agency on Renewable Energy Sources

 

 
          The author of Azerbaijan's independent energy policy is the national leader Heydar Aliyev. As the leader of Azerbaijan in the Soviet period, the Great Leader's attention to this issue resulted in the commissioning of 6 power plants with a total capacity of over 3 thousand megawatts and 17 substations of various voltages, as well as the largest thermal power plant in the Caucasus called Azerbaijan. After gaining independence, the transformation of Azerbaijan into a world-scale oil and gas exporting country, cooperation with foreign oil companies, and the establishment of strong international ties with European and world countries through skillful utilization of the oil factor became possible due to the wise policy and historical foresight of the great leader.
          Today, President Ilham Aliyev successfully continues the exceptional steps taken by the great leader in the field of energy. The Head of State attaches special importance to alternative and renewable energy sources. The clean environment and green development of the country represent one of the five national priorities defined in the document "Azerbaijan 2030: National Priorities for Socio-Economic Development." Specific goals related to these areas are also reflected in the Socio-Economic Development Strategy for 2022-2026. By 2030, it is planned to increase the share of renewable energy sources to at least 30%.
          The Caspian Power exhibition provides excellent opportunities to establish contacts with foreign investors and meet with leading representatives of the electricity industry. At the same time, the exhibition is a unique platform to learn about the latest technological products and development strategies for the power sector as well as to sign promising contracts.
Our goal, as the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs Organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan, is to support the development of entrepreneurship and further strengthen business relations established between foreign and domestic companies. I am confident that such specialized exhibitions will contribute to establishing business relations between foreign and local companies and further the development of entrepreneurship in our country.
          I wish all the participants of this exhibition, which represents the latest achievements in the field of energy utilization, to seize the opportunities of the exhibition and establish strong and effective cooperation.
          Yours sincerely,
          Mammad Musayev
          Republic of Azerbaijan
          President of the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers) Organizations

 

 
          In recent years, Azerbaijan as whole - and Baku in particular - has become the international event hub for the Caucasus and Central Asia alike. Apart from attracting numerous participants and visitors from different countries, such exhibitions and conferences provide a unique opportunity to establish business relations and expand cooperation with representatives of business communities across various sectors of the economy.

          It must be underlined that Azerbaijan's energy leadership today is the outcome of the successful energy strategy set up by Great Leader Heydar Aliyev (whose 100th jubilee is celebrated this year) and continued by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev. We are positive that, held for many years Caspian Oil&Gas exhibition and forum together with its successor Baku Energy Week have had a great impact and heavily contributed to the development of the energy sector both nation- and region-wide: attesting to the importance of the events is the special attention demonstrated by the country's leadership, the participation of hundreds of companies from the world over, as well as of thousands of visitors and delegates, and the very fact that the exhibition and forum have become a critical platform for holding negotiations and exchanging ideas.

          The newly established Azerbaijan Exhibition Organisers Association (ASTA) strives to make it possible for exhibitions to develop both nation- and region-wide, as well as to shape the exhibition industry in Azerbaijan in line with international standards. The Association brings together exhibition organizers, centers, and services providers in the exhibition industry, also bringing about the improvement of the culture and efficiency of exhibition management by using advanced knowledge and technology.

          We would like to say thank you to the participants and visitors for their active participation in the exhibitions, and to the organizers for setting up such an important platform for the sake of business development. We wish you productive business meetings and thriving business relations.

          Best regards,

          Elmira Aghayeva

          Secretary General
          Azerbaijan Exhibition Organisers Association