The Bosphorus Energy Club is an exclusive membership-only gathering of the key shakers and movers in the energy, finance and geopolitical world of Eurasia, China, the MENA, the Gulf and Southeast Europe.
The Club, as a low profile but strong influence gathering of the energy world, provides an exclusive platform to consider energy, infrastructure and investment needs, share strategic knowledge, power network, develop innovative solutions, and help reduce geopolitical tensions. It also acts as a Track-II energy diplomacy channel where so requested.
Its influential network, strategic intelligence, early warning signals and engagements are only available to and can be tapped for the benefit of the Club members. Attendance to its year-long events, exclusive meetings, ad hoc activities and annual summit is by-invitation-only.
The Club members will meet the host country’s Prime Minister and the President while similar engagements will also be arranged with the leaders of the Club members’ countries. The Club intends to meet in other regional energy capitals in every other year.
HOW…
In recognition of the significant power shift and dynamics in our region the club’s primary objectives are, interalia:
- Further promote dialogue, partnership, investment and strategic communications at the highest possible level and outside the regular channels to enhance the regional energy flows, trade shifts, investment and engagements across the borders;
- Forge an exclusive convening power to enable senior government, business, finance and international organisation leaders in energy to engage with each other on an equal footing and in a relaxed atmosphere;
- Offer unique advantages to the club members, personal and corporate alike, and organise special activities to enhance cohesion, solidarity and social ties among them;
- Provide unique insights into national, regional and global trends, partnerships, projects and players through sound assessments in a multi-disciplinary and holistic fashion exclusively for the club members, help develop common multi-country regional projects and contribute to the existing ones;
- Support and deploy mutually beneficial efforts with similar organisations such as Paris Energy Club, London Oil Club, Windsor Energy Group, Arab Energy Club, Beijing Energy Club, The Oil Council, Brussels Energy Club, Iraq Energy Institute, International Energy Forum, Energy Charter, Eurasia Energy Forum, Moscow Energy Club, Goa Forum, SAARC Energy Center and the like;
- Undertake “messenger” or “facilitator” roles between the club members, if so asked, on matters of dispute or conflict settlement before any serious legal and political actions are considered;
- Provide support in strategic message development, stakeholder alignment and communications in and outside of the club membership on matters of common interest in regional energy; and Perform other functions, which the club members want it to assume.
NETWORK…
The club is as strong as its members, who are drawn from a formidable network of contacts nationally, regionally and internationally. This network, set to further expand and enrich in the years ahead, is only available to and is run solely for the benefit of the club members. The network gives the club members swift, top level reach into a wide range of corporate, governmental, professional and third sector organisations for “win-win” propositions.
Spanning across all energy business sectors, the club acts as an effective ambassador, gaining attention at the right level, which the club member can then convert into new and valued relationships. Its intimate atmosphere is designed to allow frank exchanges and genuine dialogue, stripping away participants’ official armour and without any strait-jacket.
The club members will meet the host country’s Prime Minister and the President as well as senior energy business executives wherever they meet. They will also have the opportunity to have similar engagements with the leaders of the club members’ countries in the region to maximise their business and policy impacts.
WHAT…
The club’s activities usually take the form of an annual gathering in a regional capital, special dinner events with guest speakers, expert roundtables with leaders in the private, public and third sectors and task force “White Papers” on important policy issues. One of the annual meetings each year is to be held in key energy capitals of the region — such as Moscow, Dubai, Baku, Astana, Ashgabat, Tehran, Erbil, Baghdad, Islamabad, Athens, Riyadh and Cairo.
Although the club is located on the shores of the Bosphorus and the Turkish Government and several energy companies have agreed to provide much appreciated support in the initial phase, it must be underlined that the club has a regional focus and ownership, which will be duly reflected in its range of activities and management leadership after the inaugural meeting in Istanbul.
If so requested, the club plans to organise executive development programmes, whether for senior executives and board members or for tomorrow’s emerging business and public sector leaders in energy.
Briefings and discussions are held under the “Chatham House Rules” so that no opinion may be attributed outside the meeting to any individual or organisation. The subject matters reflect members’ interests and cover industry sector-specific topics, international affairs, Government policy and regulation, investment, technology and global economic dynamics.
