The Heart of Energy Beats in Istanbul

Intense Participation

Many ministers from abroad took part in the summit. Azerbaijan's Minister of Energy Perviz Shahbazov, Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Petroleum Hayan Abdul Ghani, Romania's Minister of Energy Sebastian-Ioan Burduja, Somalia's Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Dahir Shire Mohammed, Bulgaria's Minister of Energy Zhecho Stankov, Niger's Minister of Mines Ousmane Abarchi, Among the participants of the summit were Moldova's Minister of Energy Dorin Junghietu, Syria's Minister of Energy Mohammed al-Bashir, Libya's Minister of Industry and Mines Ahmed Abu-Heisa, Hungary's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Boglarka Illes, and Saudi Arabia's Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Khalid Al Mudaifer.

Stakeholders of Energy

In addition to senior executives of global energy companies, local and foreign non-governmental organizations, academics, business world and media executives were also present at this important event.

New Phase

Speaking at the opening of the summit, President Erdoğan said, "Türkiye has a strategic place in the global energy equation due to its natural gas resources, geographical location and proximity to hydrocarbon reserves. Noting that they reduced foreign dependency with the National Energy and Mining Policy, President Erdoğan said, "Now we are taking these achievements to a new stage. We will make Türkiye a global actor in the field of natural gas and oil exploration. In this new period, our country will sign brand new collaborations in the energy and mining sectors all over the world and make unique contributions to global energy security."

135 Thousand Barrels Record

President Erdoğan stated that the daily production in Gabar has increased to 81 thousand barrels and said, "To date, over 26 million barrels of oil have been produced in Gabar with a total value of nearly 2 billion dollars. We will reach our ultimate goal of 100 thousand barrels of oil in a very short time. With the work in Gabar, our daily oil production in Türkiye broke a new record by exceeding 135 thousand barrels as of the end of March 2025. As the People's Alliance, we will hopefully write a completely different story when we get the desired result in the Terror Free Türkiye works that we carry out sensitively."

Gas for 4 Million Households

Referring to the fact that they have successfully completed the first phase in Sakarya Gas Field and produced 9 and a half million cubic meters of gas per day in the existing 12 wells, President Erdoğan said, "The needs of more than 4 million households in our country are met from here. Last year, we produced approximately 1.8 billion cubic meters cumulatively in Sakarya Gas Field. Our floating production platform in Çanakkale will be commissioned in Sakarya Field next year. Thus, we will produce an additional 10 million cubic meters per day. In 2026, we aim to produce approximately 20 million cubic meters per day in Phase 1 and Phase 2 combined. In 2028, we aim to increase daily production in Sakarya to 40 million cubic meters. When we reach this target, we will meet the entire natural gas need of our residences from our own resources."

No Colonialism in Our History

President Erdoğan announced that the Oruç Reis Seismic Research Ship in the seas of Somalia has completed 90 percent of its 3D seismic exploration activities and said, "I want everyone to know that we are a nation that has no shame of colonialism in its thousands of years of history. On the basis of this understanding, we are strengthening our strong relations with Pakistan, Indonesia and Malaysia in the field of energy."

We Eased the Crisis

Stating that they have completed agreements with two major oil companies based in England and France for the supply of liquefied natural gas starting from 2027, Erdoğan said, “We have taken many initiatives to contribute to the energy security in the region in order to alleviate the energy crisis experienced by European countries.”

Turkmen Gas

Underlining that the first flow of Turkmenistan natural gas started on March 1 via Iran, Erdoğan said, "Over 250 million cubic meters of gas has been supplied through this line. By the end of the year, we will have supplied 1.3 billion cubic meters of natural gas. Our initial plan is to extend the agreement for another 5 years. Our ultimate goal is to bring Turkmen gas to our country through the Caspian pipeline."

Final Stage in Akkuyu

Stating that they have reached the level of meeting the electricity needs of all residences only from wind and sun, Erdoğan said, "The construction of the first reactor of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, the largest energy project in the history of our Republic, is being completed soon. We will start trial production at the end of this year and provide the first electricity from Akkuyu. We expect the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant to operate at full capacity in 2028. When Akkuyu is commissioned with all its components, our natural gas imports will decrease by 7 billion cubic meters annually. This means a saving of 2 and a half billion dollars."

983 Billion Lira Support

Erdoğan explained that all these investments directly touch the lives of citizens and said, “In the last three years, we have provided 983 billion lira support to our nation in electricity and natural gas. Today, 97 percent of the houses benefit from state support.”

We Will Be One of 5 Countries

Stating that international energy competition has recently heated up in the field of rare earth elements, Erdoğan said, "The world's second largest rare earth element reserve in a single field with 690 thousand tons is located in Eskişehir Beylikova. Our operation in the area where the reserve is located continues its activities as a pilot plant. We will realize a full-fledged industrial facility that will turn our rare earth elements into raw materials very soon and make our country one of the 5 countries that can produce these elements."

Target Summit

Erdoğan noted that it was no coincidence that Türkiye stood out as a safe haven during the energy crises in Europe and said, "Since 2002, we have built our infrastructure. We have raised Türkiye to a very different league in the field of energy. Now we want to go to the top. We want to make our name among the best. We are determined and patient in this." 

It Will Become a Brand

Delivering a speech at the opening ceremony, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Bayraktar said that the development of oil, natural gas and mineral resources is the most important driving force of sustainable development and economic growth. Stating that they organized the Istanbul Natural Resources Summit in order to develop both regional and bilateral cooperation in these fields, Minister Bayraktar hoped that the summit will become a brand.

Center of Attraction

Bayraktar said that they are working day and night to quadruple the current production in Sakarya Gas Field by 2028, and that thanks to the oil production in Gabar, Şırnak has turned into a center of attraction that receives migration instead of emigrating. 

Active Energy Diplomacy

Stating that they are developing cooperation not only in the “Blue Homeland”, not only in our land areas, but also in different geographies and continents, Bayraktar said: "We are preparing for new partnerships with new projects in Azerbaijan, Iraq and Russia, in addition to the projects we are already partners in. We are conducting an active energy diplomacy in Libya, Iraq, Pakistan and the Caspian region. With a win-win approach, we continue to contribute to our country, our partners and the economies of those countries." 

First Mining License

Following the speeches, Minister Bayraktar presented President Erdoğan with a replica of the first mining license dating back to the Hittite period.

4 Different Sessions

Within the scope of the Istanbul Natural Resources Summit, sessions titled “Critical Minerals in Energy Transformation”, “Mining in Energy Transformation”, “Changing Dynamics of Security of Supply” and “Hydrocarbons in Transition” were organized.