02/06/2026
I was pleased to participate in the plenary session “Executive Talks: Leadership Perspectives on Energy Transition and Future Strategies” held as part of .
The discussion focused on the evolving global energy landscape, energy security, sustainability, affordability, and long-term supply reliability. Particular attention was given to the need for resilient energy systems capable of responding to growing global demand and rapidly changing economic and geopolitical dynamics.
In my remarks, I emphasized the strategic significance of the Shah Deniz project, which this year marks the 30th anniversary of the PSA signing and the 20th anniversary of first commercial gas production. As one of the most important energy projects in the Caspian region, Shah Deniz laid the foundation for the successful implementation of the Southern Gas Corridor, which today serves as an important pillar of regional and European energy security and supply diversification.
In this context, I emphasized the importance of expanding the Southern Gas Corridor in order to meet growing demand and increase gas exports to Europe. I noted that the successful expansion of the corridor requires strong cooperation and commitment among all stakeholders, including long-term commercial agreements and support from international financial institutions.
In addition, I highlighted Azerbaijan’s capacity to further increase natural gas production through ongoing and future upstream developments, including the recent commencement of first non-associated gas production from the ACG field, the Shah Deniz compression project, and the full-field development of Absheron field.
The session also provided an opportunity to exchange views on innovation, digitalization, human capital development, AI, and data centers, and the importance of long-term international partnerships in addressing the evolving priorities of the global energy sector.