The Secretary General met with Mr. Natiq Aliev, Minister of Industry and Energy, with whom he discussed the results of the recently completed Energy Charter in-depth review of energy efficiency policies of Azerbaijan. Minister Aliev confirmed that improving energy efficiency was one of the country’s main priorities and invited the Energy Charter Secretariat to continue cooperation in this area. The Minister also expressed strong support for the process of Energy Charter modernisation.

Dr. Rusnák also met with Mr. Rovnag Abdullaev, President of Azerbaijan's state oil company SOCAR, to discuss cooperation activities within the framework of the Energy Charter Industry Advisory Panel, an independent body within the Energy Charter Process designed to strengthen dialogue between member governments and the energy industry.

Challenges in improving energy efficiency and deploying renewable energy sources at local level were the topic of discussion between the Secretary General and Prof. Abdulfaz Babaev, Head of Sumgait Municipality. It was agreed to continue effective cooperation within the framework of the joint international project DACO, which promotes the principles of the Covenant of Mayors.

While in Baku, Dr. Rusnák spoke at the 20th Caspian Oil and Gas Conference. In the session dedicated to international cooperation to increase the resource base and diversify supply routes, the Secretary General's speech focused on the contribution of the Energy Charter to the economic development of the Caspian region.

At the request of the Special Envoy for Energy of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr. Michael Lotem, Dr. Rusnák had a meeting with Mr. Lotem on the margins of the Conference.