Central Asia's Energy Risks

The Open Society Institute's Central Eurasia Project presented a discussion with Charles Esser, Energy Analyst for the International Crisis Group.

Esser spoke about the Crisis Group's latest report, which examines the resources of three countries—Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan—and the dangers of mishandling them.  The report argues that a trans-Caspian gas pipeline cannot largely write Russia out of the European energy equation, as Brussels hopes. But it also disputes the common view that the May 12 Russian-Central Asian gas agreement prevents that pipeline from being built.

As Energy Analyst, Charles Esser works closely with Crisis Group staff around the world in providing advice on the structure and content of reports dealing with energy issues, and in contributing research and analysis to those reports.  Prior to joining Crisis Group, Esser worked as Energy Officer at the U.S. Department of State and as Industry Economist at the U.S. Energy Information Administration–U.S. Department of Energy.  He is a graduate of the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.

Erika Dailey, director of the OSI Turkmenistan Project, introduced the event.

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The Open Forum speaker series aims to enhance policy debate on key issues facing Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and the Middle East, and to raise public awareness of important developments in these regions. Monthly Open Forum events are held in New York and Washington, DC, and are attended by leading policymakers, scholars, NGO staff, and journalists. All events are free of charge.