Conference: Crude Awakening

Date: Friday, April 11, 2025

Conference Schedule:

1:00 PM Check-in opens

1:15 PM Introductory Remarks

1:30 PM Panel I: Regional Dynamics

3:00 PM Coffee Break

3:30 PM Panel II: Geoeconomics of Energy

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Reception

Location: Riggs Library (3rd floor of Healy Hall at Georgetown University)

About the Conference:
Join CERES for a conference exploring the regional dynamics and geoeconomics of a possible post-carbon future for Central Asia.
Since independence, Central Asian countries have profited from the sale of oil and gas while providing heat to their people through their abundant coal reserves. What might the future look like for Central Asian countries, if the world economy moves beyond fossil fuels? What are the options for Central Asian countries as their energy needs and use change? How might they compensate for the loss of revenue from oil and gas exports? Beyond oil and gas, how will they manage responsible ownership of the vast mineral and uranium resources found in Central Asia?

Panel I: Regional Dynamics

Moderator: Gavin Helf (Georgetown University)
Artemy Kalinovsky (Temple University), "The Life, Death, and Rebirth of the Central Asian Power System"
Vadim Grishin (Georgetown University), "Central Asia's Energy Landscape: Prospects for Regionalization in the Context of Competition between Russia and China"
Brianne Todd (NESA Center), "Central Asia's Critical Minerals: Navigating Global Demand and Strategic Partnerships in a Post-Carbon World"
Ambassador Yerzhan Ashikbayev (Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the U.S.), "Energy Futures and the Kazakh-American Relationship"
Panel II: Geoeconomics of Energy
Moderator: Marsha McGraw-Olive (SAIS, John Hopkins University)
Natalie Koch (Syracuse University), "Gulf Post-Oil Energy Diplomacy in Central Asia"
Theresa Sabonis-Helf (Georgetown University), "Nuclear Power Dreams: Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan's Pursuit of Nuclear Energy Markets"
Ambassador (ret.) Daniel Rosenblum, "What is the U.S. Role in a Post-Carbon Central Asia?"
Ambassador (ret.) Steven Mann, "Through Private Sector Eyes"
For participants' bios, .

Please RSVP as seating is limited. Check-in opens at 1:00 PM. If you have further questions please email CERES' Center Administrator, Jessica Miller, at [email protected]

CERES would like to thank the Chevron Corporation for its generous sponsorship of this conference.

Host or Publisher Center for Eurasian, Russian and East European Studies -- (CERES)