Key topics
– The macroeconomic and geopolitical forces reshaping globalization
– Fragmentation, regionalization and the emergence of new forms of interdependence
– Azerbaijan and the South Caucasus as a pivotal space in the future global economic order
– Azerbaijan’s evolving role from energy partner and connectivity hub to a broader
platform for manufacturing, investment and regional value creation

Master of Ceremony: Jane Witherspoon (Managing Editor, Euronews) 5’

Keynote Speech
– Mikayil Jabbarov (Minister of Economy, Republic of Azerbaijan) 15’
– A Fireside Discussion with Nouriel Roubini
Global Economic Outlook
– Pedro Vargas David — Chairman of the Board of Directors, Euronews
Nouriel Roubini — Economist and Strategist; CEO, Roubini Macro Associate 20’

Keynote Presentation
Azerbaijan and the South Caucasus: A Central Hub for Investment Growth
Valerio De Molli (CEO & Managing Partner, The European House – Ambrosetti & TEHA Group) 20’

High level Panel Discussion
Shaping the Future of Global Growth, Investment and Connectivity

Moderator: Jane Witherspoon (Managing Editor, Euronews) 6’

– Nik Gjeloshaj (Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Policy and Minister of Economic Development of Montenegro) 6’
– Mikayil Jabbarov (Minister of Economy, Republic of Azerbaijan) 6’
– Mehmet Şimşek (Minister of Treasury and Finance of the Republic of Türkiye) 6’
– Laziz Kudratov (Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade, Uzbekistan) 6’
– Aleem Khan (Federal Minister for Communications, Pakistan) 6’
– Besar Durmishi (Minister of Economy and Labour, North Macedonia) 6’
– Mohammad Nidal al-Shaar (Minister of Economy and Industry, Syria) 6’
– Abdurahmon Abdurahmonzoda — Minister of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan (TBC)

Discussant: Nouriel Roubini (Economist and Strategist; CEO, Roubini Macro Associates) 6’

Key topics
– Industrial platforms and free economic zones as engines of investment attraction and
economic diversification
– Azerbaijan’s positioning as a regional manufacturing and export hub
– Investor incentives, regulatory frameworks and business-enabling conditions within
special economic zones
– Linking industrial zones with logistics infrastructure, value-added production and
regional supply chains
– Germany’s interest in Azerbaijan as a platform for industrial production, free zones and
regional value chains

Moderator: Guy Shone (Global Chief Editor, AnewZ) 5’

Keynote speech
Samad Bashirli (Deputy Minister of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan)

Panel
– Valeh Alasgarov (Chairman of the Board of AFEZ Authority) – (TBC) 6’+5’
– Polat Şen (CFO, Koç Holding – Türkiye) 6’+5’
– Christian Wulff Soendergaard (VP of Corporate Affairs, Carlsberg – Denmark) 6’+5’
– Marco Politi (Vice President of Sales and Business Development, DBA Group – Italy) 6’+5’
– Nataly Mouravidze (Country Manager for Azerbaijan, European Bank for Reconstruction and
Development – EBRD) 6’+5’
– Dmytro Shlapachenko (UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan) 6’+5’

Part I — U.S.–Azerbaijan Economic Partnership: TRIPP and New Connectivity Opportunities

Key topics
– TRIPP as a platform for strategic connectivity and regional economic development
– U.S.–Azerbaijan economic and investment partnership
– Opportunities for U.S. companies and investors in Azerbaijan
– Strategic infrastructure and connectivity development
– Energy infrastructure and regional energy connectivity
– Public-private partnerships and private-sector participation
– Azerbaijan’s role as a gateway between the U.S., South Caucasus and Central Asia

Moderator: Taleh Ziyadov (Advisor to the Minister of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan) 5’

Keynote speech
– Elnur Mammadov — Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan 10’

Panel
– Fariz Rzayev — Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan 5′
– Amy Carlon (Chargé d’Affaires, U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan) 5′
– Jonathan Bar (Managing Director, Credit and Principal Structured Finance at Apollo) 5′
– Gabor Gerencser (Senior Business Development Manager, Bechtel) 5′
– Natig Bakhishov (Executive Director, U.S.-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce – USACC) 5′
– Deputy Minister of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan (TBC)

Part II — The Middle Corridor: Regional Trade, Connectivity and Value Chains.

Key topics
– The Middle Corridor as a resilient East–West trade and logistics platform
– Trans-Caspian connectivity and multimodal transport infrastructure
– Rail, port and logistics capacity across the corridor
– Strengthening trade and investment links between Central Asia, Azerbaijan and China
– Financing infrastructure through PPPs, multilateral institutions and private capital
– Moving from transit to manufacturing, processing and value-added activities
– Regional industrial cooperation and value-chain integration
– Azerbaijan’s role as a strategic gateway between Central Asia, the South Caucasus and
global markets

Moderator: Nadira Tudor (Bureau Chief, Euronews) 5’

Panel
– Perhat Yagshiev (Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan) 6′
– Aidar Akhmetbekovich Abildabekov (Vice Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of 6’
Kazakhstan)
– Vakhtang Tsintsadze – Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia 6’
– Haluk Kayabashi (CEO of Kibar Holding – Türkiye) 6’
– Wiebke Schloemer (Director for Western Balkans and South Caucasus,IFC)
– Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan (TBC)

Key topics
– AI adoption as a driver of productivity, business transformation and economic competitiveness
– Digital infrastructure, cloud, connectivity and data capabilities as foundations of an intelligent economy
– Building innovation ecosystems that connect technology companies, startups, corporates and public institutions
– Responsible and scalable digital transformation across government services, industry and society

Moderator: Corrado Panzeri (Partner and Head of InnoTech Hub, TEHA Group – Italy) 6’

Keynote Speech
Rashad Nabiyev (Minister of Digital Development & Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan) (TBC) 10’

Fireside Chat
Kai-Fu Lee (CEO, 01.AI –) 20’

Panel
– Dana Altybay (Managing Director in CIS and South East Europe, HPE – USA) 6’
– Shen Jianguang (Vice President and Chief Economist, JD.com – China) 6’
– Jason Rees (Senior Vice President, Technology Engineering, Oracle EMEA – USA) 6’
– Karim Taga (Global Head of Functional Practices, Arthur D. Little – USA) 6’
– Felix Wenger (Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company, Zurich; Leader of McKinsey’s European Wealth &
Asset Management Practice) (TBC)
– Estera Haas-Abgarowicz – Director of the AI Department. Asseco Poland

Key topics
– Azerbaijan’s role in shaping a South Caucasus–Central Asia cooperation platform
– Caspian cooperation as a framework for trade, investment and institutional coordination
– Turning political alignment into practical cooperation across business, infrastructure and policy
– Regional trust-building and strategic autonomy across the wider Caspian space

Moderator: Orkhan Amashov (Deputy Editor-in-Chief, AnewZ) 8’

Keynote speech
Elnur Aliyev (First Deputy Minister of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan) 10’

Panel
– Kıvanç Zaimler (CEO, Sabancı Holding – Türkiye) 7’
– Balázs Hendrich (Executive Director in Budapest, Organization of Turkic States – OTS) 7’
– Sezai Uçarmak (Deputy Minister of Trade of the Republic of Türkiye) 7’
– Bassem Tadros (Senior Vice President, Asset Management, XRG – UAE) 7’
– Mikheil Khidureli (CEO, LEPL Investment Agency of Georgia) 7’
– Ziya Aliyev (Vice President, Black Sea Trade and Development Bank – Greece) (TBC) 7’
– Baghdad Amreyev (President, Turkic Investment Fund)
– Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan (TBC)

Key topics
– Mobilizing international capital for infrastructure, industrial development and regional connectivity
– The role of multilateral development banks, private investors and financial institutions in supporting Azerbaijan’s growth agenda
– Credit ratings, risk perception and market intelligence as enablers of investor confidence
– Digital payments, financial infrastructure and partnerships with global operators to support business growth and market integration

Part I — The Global Financial Outlook & Regional Impact

Moderator: Nadira Tudor (Bureau Chief, Euronews) 3’

Keynote Speech
Sahil Babayev (Minister of Finance of the Republic of Azerbaijan) (TBC)
Taleh Kazimov — (Governor of the Central Bank of the Republic of Azerbaijan) (TBC) 10

Panel
– Keyu Jin (Professor of Finance, Chair of the Center for Macro-Finance and Geo economics
– The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology – China) 5’
– Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon (Member of the House of Lords, United Kingdom; Member of the International Relations and Defense Committee – UK) 5’
– Stella Renita (Head of the EIB Group Regional Representation for the South Caucasus, European Investment Bank) 5’
– Hojamurod Hojaev (Senior Manager, Private Sector, International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation) 5’
– Javid Guliyev – Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of PASHA Bank OJSC 5

Part II — Focus on Azerbaijan & Its Strategic Role in the Region

Moderator: Nadira Tudor (BureVau Chief, Euronews)

Panel
– Maurizio Tamagnini (Founder & CEO, FSI – Italy) 5’
– Natalia Sergeeva (Global Co-Head of Origination, UK Export Finance) 5’
– Sheikh Ebrahim bin Khalifa Al Khalifa (Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Accounting and Auditing
– Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions – Bahrain) 5’
– Godfrey Sullivan (SVP, Head of Products and Solutions, CEMEA, Visa) 5′

Key topics
– Azerbaijan’s role in strengthening regional energy connectivity and energy security across the South Caucasus, Europe and Central Asia
– Policy incentives and enabling frameworks to facilitate investment in renewable energy and green infrastructure
– Supply chain challenges in green energy projects, including technology, equipment,
financing and implementation constraints
– Development of cross-border energy connectivity projects, including green electricity transmission and regional market integration
– Balancing energy security, green transition and industrial competitiveness while scaling renewable and low-carbon investments
– Italy’s role as a strategic energy partner for Azerbaijan, supporting energy connectivity, infrastructure cooperation and the green transition

Part I — The Energy Outlook

Moderator: Alessandro Viviani (Associate Partner, TEHA Group – Italy) 5’

Keynote Speech
Government Representative 10’

Panel
– Orkhan Zeynalov (Deputy Minister of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan) 6’
– Luca Matrone (Head of Energy Industry, Global Corporate, Intesa Sanpaolo – Italy) 6’
– Xiansheng Sun (Chairman, ISETS Council – China) 6’
– Ahmet Çalık (Chairman, Çalık Holding – Türkiye) 6’
– Tural Aliyev – General Director, Green Corridor Alliance 6’

Part II — The View of Operators
Moderator:Alessandro Viviani (Associate Partner, TEHA Group – Italy) 6’

Panel
– Ernesto Ferlenghi (Executive Director CIS, SAIPEM – Italy) 6’
– Nadir Imanov – bp, Vice president finance, Caspian-Central Asia– Türkiye region 6’
– Rza Nuriyev, Managing Director and Senior Partner 6’
– Elmir Musayev (General Director, SOCAR Green LLC – Azerbaijan)(TBC) 6’
– Maryam Al Mazrouei (Associate Director, CIS, Masdar – UAE) 6’
– Selim Güven (General Manager, Azerbaijan and Turkiye, Acwa Power – Saudi Arabia) 6’
 -Orhan Remzi Karadeniz (CEO, Karadeniz Holding – Türkiye) 6’

Key topics
– Agribusiness innovation as a driver of food security, diversification and rural development
– Technology adoption, precision agriculture and sustainable farming practices to improve productivity
– Processing capacity, value-added production and integration into regional and global food supply chains
Investment opportunities and international partnerships across agriculture, food industry and agritech

Moderator: Katie Wilson (Anchor, AnewZ) 6’

Keynote Speech
Majnun Mammadov (Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan) 10’

Panel
– Matteo Vittuari (Full Professor at the Department of Agricultural and Food Science, University of Bologna – Italy) 6’+5’
– Viorel Gutu (Assistant-Director General and Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia, FAO) 6’+5’
– Tahir Gozel (The Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Azersun Holding) 6’+5’

Key topics
– Critical raw materials as a driver of economic security, industrial resilience and technological sovereignty
– Securing reliable supply chains for clean energy, advanced manufacturing and digital infrastructure
– Azerbaijan and the wider region’s potential role in strategic minerals, processing and value-added activities
– Responsible extraction, industrial partnerships and investment models for critical minerals development

Moderator: Dilek Tuna (Anchor, AnewZ) 6’

Keynote Speech:
Representative of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Panel
– Sunniya Durrani-Jamal (Country Director for Azerbaijan, Asian Development Bank) 6’+5’
– Marco Castagnini (CEO, Green Spark – Kazakhstan) 6’+5’
– Batuhan Özdemir (Senior Representative, Limak Holding – Türkiye) 6’+5’
– Tatyana Rybalko (Head of Commercial Service, Kazakhstan Insulator Plant) 6’+5’
– Leyla Keser Berber (Founder and Chair, Tethys Trans-Eurasian Gateway Platform) (TBC)
– Gracelin Baskaran (Director, Critical Minerals Security Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies – CSIS) – (TBC)

Room A – Closed-door event by invitation, hosted and curated by BlackRock and SOFAZ

10:00 – 10:15 Introduction to Panels and Opening Remarks- Israfil Mammadov, CEO, SOFAZ
10:30 – 11:00 Artificial Intelligence and Digital Infrastructure

Moderator: Charles Hatami (Senior MD, Head of Middle East & Co-Head of the Global Partners Office,
BlackRock – USA)

– Mikayil Jabbarov (Minister of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan)
– Rashad Nabiyev (Minister of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan)
– Nagi Hemayeh (President, Temasek Global Investments – Singapore)
– Howard Boville (CEO of Coravel, ACS – USA)

11:00 – 11:15 Break
11:15 – 11:45 Energy Infrastructure

Moderator: Eric Varvel (Partner, Global Head of Capital Formation Group, GIP – USA)

– Parviz Shahbazov (Minister of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan)
– Rovshan Najaf (President, SOCAR – Azerbaijan)
– Omar N. Al-Midani (President and CEO, Vision Invest – Saudi Arabia)
– Patrick Lammers (CEO, Skyborn Renewables – Germany)

11:45 – 12:15 Strategic Transport and Logistics Corridors

Moderator: Mustafa Riffat (MD & Chief of Staff, GIP – USA)

– Shahin Babayev (Executive Director, AZCON Holding – Azerbaijan)
Local Industry Representative
– Todd Boehly (CEO, Eldridge Industries – USA)
– Jim Butler (CFO, Gatwick Airport – UK)

12:15 – 12:30 Closing Remarks

Charles Hatami (Senior MD, Head of Middle East & Co-Head of the Global Partners Office, BlackRock – USA)

Part 1 — Urban Development & Real Estate

Key topics
– Urban regeneration and large-scale development
– Real estate investment and mixed-use projects
– Smart and sustainable urban development
– International developers and institutional capital
– Creating investment-ready urban projects
Moderator: Runze Wang (Representative in Azerbaijan, UN-Habitat) 5’

Keynote Speech
Anar Guliyev (Chairman, State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture)(TBC) 10’

Panel
– Manuela Gatto (Director, Zaha Hadid Architects – UK) 5’
– Rufat Javadov (Director of ADEC LLC-White City – Azerbaijan) 5’
– MODON Holding — representative (TBC)

Part 2 — Tourism & Destination Investment

Keynote Speech
Fuad Naghiyev (Chairman of the State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan) (TBC) 10’

Key topics
– Tourism and hospitality investment
– Integrated destination development
– International hotel brands and resort projects
– Luxury, cultural and experiential tourism
– MICE and business tourism
– Sustainable and investment-ready tourism destinations

Panel
– Simonida Kordić (Minister of Tourism, Montenegro) 5’
– Emin Agalarov (CEO and Founder, Sea Breeze – Azerbaijan) 5’
– Representative of UN Tourism at Department Director Level 5’
– Florian Sengstschmid (Chairman of the Board, Azerbaijan Tourism Board) (TBC) 5’
– Fredis Bikovs — Director of Riga Investment and Tourism Agency 5’

Key topics
– Intangible assets as a new source of productivity, competitiveness and long-term economic growth
– Investment in intellectual property, software, data, R&D, brands and organizational capabilities
– Valuation, accounting and financing of intangible assets and the role of financial institutions and investors
– Creating regulatory, legal and institutional frameworks that encourage knowledge-based investment and protect intellectual property
– Turning innovation, know-how and intellectual capital into scalable business value, exports and new investment opportunities

Moderator: TBC

Panel
– SOCAR / Government — TBC
– Yusif Abdullayev — Executive Director, Export and Investment Promotion Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan -AZPROMO
– Albert Traxler — Sales Director, Eastern Europe & CIS Countries, POERNER, Austria
– Sami Al Helali — CEO, Petro Oil & Gas
– Narmin Jafarova — Caspian Business Hub
– Vitaliy Yakovlev — Managing Partner, KPMG Azerbaijan; Partner, KPMG Caucasus and Central Asia

In collaboration with Sea Breeze

– Emin Agalarov, Founder and Owner of Sea Breeze
– Anar Guliyev, Chairman of the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture of the Republic of Azerbaijan
– Fuad Naghiyev, Chairman of the State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan
– Francois Baudin Chief Business Officer, Ennismore Immersive Resorts Banyan Tree & All Inclusive Collection

Key topics
– Human capital development as a foundation for Azerbaijan’s long-term competitiveness and economic diversification
– Future skills, digital capabilities and leadership mindsets required by technology-driven and internationalized sectors
– Strengthening collaboration between universities, companies and public institutions to improve employability and talent pipelines
– Attracting, developing and retaining talent to support innovation, entrepreneurship and new models of work

Moderator: Nadira Tudor (Bureau Chief, Euronews) 6’

Keynote Speech
Government Representative 10’

Panel
– Can Yücel (CEO, Şişecam – Türkiye)
– Jalal Gasimov (CEO, PASHA Holding – Azerbaijan)
– Hasil Abbasov — Chairman of the Management Board, State Employment Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan
– Rahim Bayramli — Chief Executive Officer (CEO), SABAH.HUB