Uzbekistan energy day — the cross-roads of Central Asia

11 June 2019

12:30 -16:00 PM Central European (Brussels) Time, @ TUSIAD Avenue des Gaulois, 13, Brussels 1040

Background info

There is substantial "hype about" Uzbekistan amongst avid Central Asia watchers at present. Well-endowed with multiple mineral resources, the country has long been linked to energy producing states in Central Asia and the Caspian. This attracted some interest in the country from foreign investors right from the early days back in the 90s. That said, many investors had questions about Uzbekistan"s investment climate and large numbers tended to target "greener pastures" for long periods.

This situation appears different today, with the government finally addressing many investor concerns, chief among them being currency convertibility. Further reforms are also in place in favour of economic liberalisation while many of the key agencies of the state relevant for energy investments are being overhauled. Big foreign energy groups are rumoured to be seriously eyeing the country, with one executive recently telling us that "Uzbekistan is now really a country on the move".

In light of the above mentioned, the Brussels Energy Club was delighted to have this membership meeting on June 11 focused on the topic of "Uzbekistan energy day — the cross roads of Central Asia". We were also honoured to jointly organise this event with the Mission of Uzbekistan to the EU. Several speakers joined us from Uzbekistan in order to discuss the openings currently taking place within the country"s energy economy.

Uzbekistan remains a major source of energy supply in Central Asia and has much potential to produce larger volume, particularly in the sphere of renewables. Producing energy from renewable sources such as solar will help Uzbekistan advance the energy transition and this is something that deserves attention in Brussels, which has a tendency to overlook the country on occasions. Uzbekistan"s other major international partners, be they Russia with its multiple large scale energy projects in the country, or China with its Belt Road Initiative, tend to be on the front foot both in this country and in Central Asia more broadly.

Program June 11, 2019: 12.30pm — 16.00 hours

Lunch with Uzbek cuisine served from 12.30-1.30pm
Setting out the debate by the Brussels Energy Club at 1.30pm
Opening remarks by H.E Dilyor Khakimov, Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the EU
Presentations by speakers-energy experts from Uzbekistan
Roundtable discussion with members and guests of the Club (NB: the Chatham House Rule will apply).