CPC - Caspian Policy Center
Events
Contract of the Century: Building on 25 Years of Success
The Caspian Policy Center and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are bringing together ministerial-level representatives, business leaders, and decision makers to examine the global energy economy, and the technologies, policies, and supply shifts that shape the global energy market.
In recognition of the 25th anniversary of the “Contract of the Century,” this year’s forum will celebrate the achievements in the Caspian Region’s oil sector, and serve as an ideal platform for establishing crucial business ties. The event will foster new avenues and opportunities for mutual cooperation between the United States and the Greater Caspian Region.
8:00am – 09:00am — Doors Open, Registration/Breakfast held at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, DC
09:00am – 09:08 am — Opening Remarks
- Efgan Nifti, Executive Director, Caspian Policy Center
- CPC Video
09:08am – 09:15am — Ambassadorial Remarks
- Ambassador (ret.) Robert F. Cekuta, Former Ambassador to Azerbaijan, U.S. Department of State
- Ambassador Elin Suleymanov, Ambassador to the United States, Azerbaijan
09:15am – 09:30am — Forum Keynote Remarks
- Mark W. Menezes, Under Secretary of Energy, U.S. Department of Energy
09:30am – 11:20am — Panel A: The Contract of the Century: Its Continuing Impacts and Lessons for European and Global Energy Security Today
09:30am – 09:50am — Keynote Discussion: Francis R. Fannon, Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources, U.S. Department of State
- Moderator: Ambassador (ret.) Robert F. Cekuta, Board of Directors Member, CPC
09:50am – 10:00am — H.E. Parviz Shahbazov, Minister of Energy, Azerbaijan
10:00am – 11:20am — Panel
Moderator: Ambassador (ret.) Steven Mann, Senior Advisor, ExxonMobil
Panelists:
- Ambassador (ret.) Allan Mustard, Former U.S. Ambassador to Turkmenistan
- Bob Scher, Head of International Affairs, BP
- Elshad Nassirov, Vice President, SOCAR
- Ambassador (ret.) Richard Morningstar, Director and Chairman of the Global Energy Center, Atlantic Council
- Ambassador Serdar Kılıç, Ambassador to the United States, Turkey
- Tom Cunningham, Director of International Government Relations and Public Affairs, Equinor
11:20am – 11:35am — Coffee Break
11:35am – 12:45am — Panel B: Looking Forward: What do the Coming Years Hold for Energy in the Greater Caspian Region?
11:35am – 12:45am — Panel
Moderator: Ambassador (ret.) Robert F. Cekuta, Board of Directors Member, CPC
- Art McHaffie, Former Executive Vice President, Azerbaijan International Operating Company
- Daulet Saudabayev, Advisor to the Prime Minister, Kazakhstan
- Edward Chow, Senior Associate of the Energy and National Security Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies
- Giorgi Tsikolia, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Georgia to the United States
12:45pm – 02:00pm — Lunch
02:00pm – 06:00pm — No Events
06:00pm – 09:00pm — Gala and Dinner held at the Howard Theater in Washington, DC
- 06:00pm – 07:00pm — Reception
- 07:00pm – 08:00pm — Award Ceremony
- 08:00pm – 09:00pm — Dinner and Live Performances