On Tuesday, the first day of the International Forum on attracting foreign investment in the oil and gas industry of Turkmenistan ended at the Yyldyz hotel in the capital.  The focus of its participants was the discussion of the future of the global energy system and ensuring regional energy security.

 The Forum was attended by heads and representatives of state institutions of our country, well-known oil and gas business structures, financial institutions, reputable international organizations and diplomatic missions accredited in Turkmenistan, leading experts of companies specializing in this field.

 - The fact that more than a hundred companies from 35 countries of the world take part in the conference speaks of the growing investment attractiveness of Turkmenistan for foreign companies, - Batyr Amanov, Acting Minister of State, Chairman of theState Concern «Turkmengas» emphasized.

 Speaking at the plenary session “The Future of the Global Energy System”, B. Amanov noted that Turkmenistan is the largest player in the Asian oil and gas market.  The hydrocarbon resources of our country are estimated at more than 71 billion tons of oil equivalent, of which more than 20 billion tons of oil and more than 50 trillion cubic meters of natural gas.  According to these figures, today Turkmenistan ranks fourth in the world in terms of proven reserves of natural gas after Russia, Iran and Qatar.

 It was also emphasized that among the main factors of the growing attractiveness of Turkmenistan for foreign investors is a stable economic and political situation in the country, as well as an effective legal framework that complies with the principles of international law, which further enhances the authority of Turkmenistan as a reliable partner for cooperation and investment in the oil and gas industry.  .

 It was stated that Turkmenistan has a powerful resource base, which opens up great prospects for cooperation in the economy, including in the fuel and energy sector.  The world's largest gas field, Galkynysh, whose reserves, together with the nearby Yashlar and Garakol deposits, are estimated at 27.4 trillion cubic meters, is being developed today in the context of specific projects with a focus on long-term partnerships.

 As noted, the flagship of mutually beneficial transnational cooperation is the Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline, which was put into operation at the end of 2009 and includes three parallel lines (A, B and C), which run along the route Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan-China.  In total, since the operation of this gas pipeline, more than 320 billion cubic meters of Turkmen gas have been exported to China.

 In the near future, a route will be laid from the border of Turkmenistan, the 4th line of the gas pipeline, designed to supply natural gas to the People's Republic of China.

 The National Program for the Socio-Economic Development of Turkmenistan in 2022–2052 and the Program for the Development of the Oil and Gas Industry for the Period up to 2030 provide for the implementation of measures to further increase the production capacity of the industry, which is closely related to the issues of ensuring the energy security of the region and the world.

 During the plenary session, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Central Asia, Head of the UNRCCA Natalia German, Head of the OSCE Center in Ashgabat John MacGregor, UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan Dmitry Shlapachenko, as well as on the digital system – Vice President of CNPC and  President of PetroChina Huang Yongzhang, Secretary General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo, Secretary General of the Energy Charter Guy Lenz.

 The speakers noted that in the development of natural resources, Turkmenistan demonstrates their rational use, concern for environmental protection, and the implementation of important international initiatives on energy security.  Evidence of this is the new industrial facilities being put into operation, where compliance with environmental standards is of particular importance.

 As noted, cooperation in the fuel and energy sector is a key factor in stable and progressive world processes in the modern era.  Equitable, built on the optimal balance of mutual interests, international partnership in this important area is an integral part of universal sustainable development with a long-term perspective.

 Ensuring global energy security, covering both the sphere of energy production, and their transportation and final consumption, was called as one of the urgent tasks of the time.  In this regard, the foreign delegates focused on the significance of the proposals of the Turkmen state, which were supported by the world community and enshrined in the adopted UN Resolutions in the field of ensuring global energy security.

 The work of the Forum continued with a teleconference with the exhibition pavilion of Turkmenistan at the World Exhibition «EXPO-2020» (Dubai, UAE), where, simultaneously with Ashgabat, a session «The role of Turkmenistan in ensuring regional energy security» was organized.  In this session, representatives of the domestic oil and gas sector and foreign companies made presentations, including Dragon Oil, Fluxys, Gaffney Cline and others.

 On the first day of the Forum, one of the speeches was dedicated to the construction project of the transnational gas pipeline Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI).  As was emphasized, the implementation of this project opens up a wide path for building partnerships between the countries of the region, developing their economic potential, and is also designed to contribute to strengthening peace in the region.  In this regard, it was noted that the Asian Development Bank is actively participating in this large-scale project, providing comprehensive support.

 Today the International Forum will continue its work.  Participants will discuss a wide range of issues at such thematic sessions as «Opportunities for investment projects in the era of new energy», «The role of financial institutions in supporting sustainable energy», «Innovative technologies and know-how in hydrocarbon production and reduction of associated gas emissions», «  Experience, potential and prospects of international cooperation in the field of processing and transportation of hydrocarbons”.

 Bilateral meetings of representatives of the domestic fuel and energy complex with foreign partners are also scheduled to discuss specific projects and areas of cooperation.  Following the results of the Forum, a number of documents are expected to be signed.