CPC - Caspian Policy Center

Events

Contract of the Century: Building on 25 Years of Success

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