Energy Minister participated in the Istanbul Natural Resources Summit

Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov made a speech at the Ministerial Session titled Energy Security in a Shifting Global Landscape: Connectivity & Cooperation held within the second Istanbul Natural Resources Summit.

In his remarks, the Minister emphasized that Azerbaijan and Türkiye have established a successful model of cooperation based both on substantial investments in the energy sector and on the implementation of various oil and gas pipeline and electricity infrastructure projects. It was noted that both countries have built their energy sector development strategies on the diversification of energy sources and routes, as well as the creation of broader energy connectivity. The Minister highlighted that the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline and the Southern Gas Corridor, implemented jointly by Azerbaijan and Türkiye, currently rank among the most reliable and predictable energy routes. It was stated that these projects have transformed not only the participating countries but also the wider region into one of the key pillars of Eurasia's energy infrastructure.

Minister Parviz Shahbazov noted that in the light of recent geopolitical developments affecting global energy markets, energy power in the 21st century is no longer measured solely by production volumes but also by supply security, energy connectivity, and reliable partnerships. In this regard, he stated that the electricity interconnector project between Azerbaijan, Georgia, Türkiye and Bulgaria remains on the agenda. It was further noted that the new electricity connection passing through Zangezur will deliver the energy resources of the Caspian region to Türkiye via Nakhchivan through the territory of Armenia and that these projects will further strengthen Türkiye's role as a regional energy hub. Referring to Uzbekistan's energy connectivity initiatives with China, the Minister also underlined that future energy links between China and Europe through Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Central Asia could significantly reshape Eurasia's energy architecture.

The Minister also drew attention to the rapidly increasing demand for energy and electricity driven by electromobility, electrification, data centers, artificial intelligence and other technological advancements. He emphasized that the key issue today is no longer obtaining energy from the cheapest source, but rather ensuring its accessibility, secure supply and strengthening international cooperation.

In addition to Türkiye's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar, Ministers from Georgia, Moldova, Libya, Somalia, Nigeria and Sudan also participated in the session.