From the world’s first oil well in Azerbaijan to today’s vast energy corridors linking the Caspian, Central Asia, and the Gulf, the region is reclaiming its place at the centre of global energy. The CIS and its neighbours are not just suppliers anymore, they’re becoming strategic bridges between East and West, shaping markets, diplomacy, and innovation.

In this plenary, leaders from the region will discuss how regional partnerships, evolving alliances, and a shared push for diversification are driving a new era of growth. From mature basins to renewables, and pipelines to people, this conversation explores how the region’s energy legacy is powering its future.