WASHINGTON, May 23, 2019 -- Today, the Caspian Policy Center and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce held the 4th Trans-Caspian Forum in Washington, D.C. with the support of the embassies of Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan. The policy and business leaders from the U.S. and six trans-Caspian corridor countries came together at the Hall of Flags of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and discussed opportunities and challenges for enhancing mutually beneficial strategic engagement in business, trade, and investment at four dedicated panels.

Gary Litman, Vice President for Global Initiatives at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Efgan Nifti, Executive Director of the Caspian Policy Center, kick-started the Forum with the welcome speech and mentioned the importance of a shared platform such as the Trans-Caspian Forum where business leaders, foreign-policy experts, and government officials from the United States and the regional countries can be in a dialogue to explore new directions and identify new opportunities.

Lisa Curtis, Senior Director for Central and South Asia, National Security Council, The White House; Manisha Singh, Acting Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy and Environment, U.S. Department of State; H.E. Robert Scher, Head of International Affairs, BP America; Sandra Oudkirk, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Resources, U.S. Department of State; Ian Steff, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing, United States and Foreign Commercial Service; Marlena Hurley, Managing Director, Political Risk Insurance and Reinsurance, OPIC; Gary Litman, Vice President for Global Initiatives, U.S. Chamber of Commerce; H.E. Roya Rahmani, Ambassador of Afghanistan to the United States; H.E. Elin Suleymanov, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to the United States; H.E. David Bakradze, Ambassador of Georgia to the United States; H.E. Erzhan Kazykhanov, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the United States; H.E. Javlon Vakhabov, Ambassador of Uzbekistan to the United States, and many more high-level government and private sector representatives attended the Forum and shared their perspectives on the importance of the Trans-Caspian corridor and its benefits for both the United State and Caspian region.

.@manishasingh, Acting Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy & Environment at @StateDept, speaks at #TCF2019: "We are at a very significant moment in history for this region. We also see great potential for regional economic cooperation between the Caspian nations." pic.twitter.com/g1w46NYXEw

— CPC (@caspiancenter) May 23, 2019

Thank you @caspiancenter and @USChamber for the opportunity to address the Trans-Caspian forum today! We @EconAtState @StateDept look forward to greater economic engagement with the region. https://t.co/Zf0ExCZIEz

— Manisha Singh (@manishasingh) May 23, 2019

M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB): “Caspian Sea is one of the regions that doesn’t get the attention it deserves. It is the world’s largest inland body of water, stuck in the heart of Eurasia.” #TCF2019 pic.twitter.com/coXPBrVs1O

— CPC (@caspiancenter) May 23, 2019

Werner Gruber, Executive Director, EDS24, @WorldBank: “The bank is very much focused on mobilizing private sector resources to be able to finance the huge infrastructure needs in the Caspian region countries.” #TCF2019 pic.twitter.com/ANNhhIGXA9

— CPC (@caspiancenter) May 23, 2019

Sandra Oudkirk, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Resources at @StateDept: "From an energy perspective the #Caspian really is unique." #TCF2019

— CPC (@caspiancenter) May 23, 2019

Sandra Oudkirk, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Resources at @StateDept: “U.S. policy towards the #Caspian has remained the same in the last 30 years.” #TCF2019 @EnergyAtState pic.twitter.com/Coau0Lmw7j

— CPC (@caspiancenter) May 23, 2019

Former #US Amb. and @caspiancenter Board Member Robert Cekuta at #TCF2019: "Oil & gas energy are going to remain important & the demand is going to continue. #Caspian is comparatively close to where the demand is.” pic.twitter.com/vHTtGoas3B

— CPC (@caspiancenter) May 23, 2019

H.E. @rmscher, Head of International Affairs, @BP_America: "#Caspian has existing infrastructure, and is capable of building more." #TCF2019 pic.twitter.com/62FBAFczQ5

— CPC (@caspiancenter) May 23, 2019

.@BP_America's @rmscher speaks at #TCF2019 today: “Renewables are expanding dramatically. We think that for the foreseeable there will be a strong need for natural #gas.” pic.twitter.com/nxW4CCVemW

— CPC (@caspiancenter) May 23, 2019

.@TradeGov Ian Steff at #TCF2019: "Our work in the Trans-Caspian region can be made stronger as a result of the good economic relations between the countries here today.” pic.twitter.com/VAEL8nvVYt

— CPC (@caspiancenter) May 23, 2019

Alexander Sokolowski, Dep. Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Europe and Eurasia, @USAID: “In building the foundation for vibrant markets, governments should not seek to do it alone." #TCF2019 pic.twitter.com/MCCBiPNunS

— CPC (@caspiancenter) May 23, 2019

Natavan Mammadova, Executive Director, American Chamber of Commerce in Azerbaijan: "#Azerbaijani govt pays a lot of attention to development of #small and medium enterprises.” #smallbiz #TCF2019 pic.twitter.com/C7BjPAWAXs

.@HassanSoroosh, Director General for Economic Cooperation, MoFA of #Afghanistan: “When it comes to the #LapisLazuli route we are in the right direction. I believe that within the next two to three years we will be able to ensure smooth transit.” #TCF2019 @Embassy_of_AFG pic.twitter.com/TEhLQbYebQ

— CPC (@caspiancenter) May 23, 2019

— CPC (@caspiancenter) May 23, 2019

H.E. @RoyaRahmani, Ambassador of Afghanistan to the United States at #TCF2019: "We are seizing the opportunity to build connections and enhance economic integration." @Embassy_of_AFG pic.twitter.com/9rR19l5CG3

— CPC (@caspiancenter) May 23, 2019

H.E. @ElinSuleymanov, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to the United States at #TCF2019: "You need to make real steps in promoting business environments." @azembassyus pic.twitter.com/S1WZ6dTFUE

— CPC (@caspiancenter) May 23, 2019

H.E. @BakradzeDavid, Ambassador of Georgia to the United States at #TCF2019: "The Caspian region is keeping up with the technological pace. #Georgia is determined to put in a lot of effort to cooperating with the countries in our region.” @GeorgianEmbassy pic.twitter.com/FJTd5yP7N1

— CPC (@caspiancenter) May 23, 2019

H.E. Erzhan Kazykhanov, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the United States at #TCF2019: “#Kazakhstan has become one of the largest land transportation hubs in Central Asia and invested $30 billion in infrastructure in last 10 years." @KazakhEmbassy pic.twitter.com/smvoiIKigO

— CPC (@caspiancenter) May 23, 2019

Cem Utkan, @TurkishEmbassy's Deputy Chief of Mission at #TCF2019: "We will continue to work together with regional countries and strategic partners, including the United States." pic.twitter.com/QC5pUgMaR9

— CPC (@caspiancenter) May 23, 2019

H.E. Javlon Vakhabov, Ambassador of Uzbekistan to the United States: "This is a historic moment - the first representation of #Uzbekistan at the Trans-Caspian Forum." #TCF2019 @UZEmbassyDC pic.twitter.com/pMs31VtPAA

— CPC (@caspiancenter) May 23, 2019

H.E. Farhod Salim, Ambassador of #Tajikistan to the United States at #TCF2019: "Tajikistan has prioritized energy independence, food security, and regional integration. Our infrastructure enables us to connect to Central Asia, South Asia, and China.” pic.twitter.com/SxMrEPE37m

— CPC (@caspiancenter) May 23, 2019

To watch the full event webcast, please visit this link.