OSCE Centre in Ashgabat OSCE seminar addresses energy diplomacy in Turkmenistan

International best practices in developing strategies and promoting energy diplomacy in the oil and gas sector were the focus of an OSCE-organized online seminar held on 21 and 22 October 2021.

Participants were representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Energy, State Concerns “Turkmengas” and “Turkmenoil”, the Ministry of Finance and Economy, institutions of higher education and other relevant bodies.

Two international experts from the Russian Federation presented priorities in the energy sector, analysed global and regional trends, and explored the linkages between international energy security and sustainable development within the oil and gas sector.

Opening the session, John MacGregor, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat said: “Energy diplomacy is the newest functional area of modern diplomacy. Over the past years, its role has been steadily increasing in the energy sector and serves as a tool for lobbying the states’ political and economic interests in the international arena.”

“That is why energy security-related issues are one of the top priorities of the global and national agenda, requiring a constructive interstate dialogue and effective co-operation,” he added.

The event marks a continuation of the OSCE Centre's co-operation with the host country in the area of energy security as part of which includes support in the elaboration and implementation of the Programme on the Development of Energy Diplomacy of Turkmenistan for 2021–2025.