International Ayder Energy Forum, Rize–Ayder, Republic of Türkiye, 15–16 January 2026
The International Ayder Energy Forum commenced its work in Rize, Republic of Türkiye, on 15 January 2026.
The forum was attended by Mr. Alparslan Bayraktar, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of the Republic of Türkiye, Prof. Kemal Memişoğlu, Minister of Health of the Republic of Türkiye, Mr. Olgun Amcaoglu, Minister of Economy and Energy of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Mr. Orkhan Zeynalov, Deputy Minister of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Ms. Inga Pkhaladze, Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia. Mr. Petar Kanev, PABSEC Vice-President, Head of the PABSEC Bulgarian Delegation, Ms. Valbona Adili Emini, Member of the PABSEC Delegation of the Republic of North Macedonia, Mr. Mădălin-Laurențiu Făget, Member of the PABSEC Romanian Delegation, Mr. Fatih Dönmez, Former Minister of Energy of the Republic of Türkiye, Head of the PABSEC Turkish Delegation, Mr. Ilyas Topsakal, member of the PABSEC Turkish Delegation, Mr. Akhtem Chyhoz and Mr. Ivan Kyrylenko, Members of the PABSEC Ukrainian Delegation, Mr. Petro Koci (Albania), Mr. Daniel Constantin (Romania) and Mr. Ramaz Nikolaishvili (Georgia) – former PABSEC Members, Mr. Fazil Mustafa, Chairman of the Committee for Public Associations and Religious Institutions of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Tahir Mirkishili, member of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Asaf Hajiyev, PABSEC Secretary General and members of the PABSEC International Secretariat took part in the event.
Ambassador Lazăr Comănescu, Secretary General of the BSEC International Permanent Secretariat (BSEC PERMIS), Prof. Dr. Evelina Slavcheva, President of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Sheker, President of the Turkish Academy of Sciences, Prof. Dr. Arif Hashimov, Academic Secretary of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Mr. George Tsereteli, Former President of PA OSCE, Mr. Ryszard Czarnecki, Former Vice-President of the European Parliament (Poland), representatives of the Innovative Small Modular Reactor Development Agency, together with other distinguished scientists from the region, also participated in the Forum.
The opening ceremony was held on 15 January 2026 in the conference hall of the Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Rize Hotel. An address from H.E. Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of the Republic of Türkiye, was conveyed to the participants of the Forum. Opening statements were delivered by Mr. Hakan Gültekin, President of the Ayder Forum Association, Mr. Asaf Hajiyev, PABSEC Secretary General, Mr. Rahmi Metin, Mayor of Rize Municipality, Mr. Fatih Dönmez, Head of the PABSEC Turkish Delegation, Mr. Sadiq Qurbanov, Chairman of the Committee on Natural Resources, Energy and Ecology of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. İhsan Selim Baydaş, Governor of Rize Province, together with other distinguished guests and high-level representatives. Addresses were also delivered by Ms. Inga Pkhaladze, Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, Mr. Orkhan Zeynalov, Deputy Minister of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Prof. Dr. Kemal Memişoğlu, Minister of Health of the Republic of Türkiye, Mr. Olgun Amcaoglu, Minister of Economy and Energy of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Mr. Alparslan Bayraktar, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of the Republic of Türkiye.
The speakers highlighted the pivotal role of energy in ensuring sustainable development, regional stability, and economic cooperation, placing particular emphasis on energy security, the energy transition, cross-border cooperation, and infrastructure development in the Black Sea region.
The first panel, devoted to the views of participating members of parliaments, was moderated by Mr. Asaf Hajiyev, PABSEC Secretary General. Within the framework of the panel, current and former members of PABSEC, together with representatives of international organisations, and academic institutions, shared their perspectives. The discussions focused on key issues related to energy infrastructure, technological development, and regional cooperation.
The second panel, dedicated to the “Energy and Artificial Intelligence”, was moderated by Mr. Fatih Donmez, Head of the PABSEC Turkish Delegation. The participants expressed their views on the role of artificial intelligence in modernising energy systems, enhancing energy efficiency, strengthening resilience, and supporting sustainable and inclusive growth.