The Caspian Policy Center is proud to host Ambassador (ret.) Matthew Klimow, the former Ambassador of the United States to Turkmenistan, for a discussion on political and economic developments in Turkmenistan and the Caspian region. This is the fourth installment of CPC’s Ambassadorial interview series. This in-person conversation will be held on Wednesday, January 29, 10:00 am – 11:30 am at CPC’s Washington DC office on the 11th floor. 

After maintaining a history of neutrality and economic isolation, Turkmenistan has been increasingly involved in both regional and global initiatives, especially in regard to diversifying its energy exports. This interview, as part of a broader CPC series, will take the opportunity to learn from the Ambassador and learn his perspective on the future of Turkmenistan, the region, and recent developments. 

Matthew Klimow was the U.S. Ambassador to Turkmenistan from 2019 to 2024. From 2018 to 2019, he served as Senior Advisor in the Office of the Under Secretary for Management at the United States Department of State. Prior to that, Klimow served as a Deputy Assistant Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Brussels, Belgium from 2012 to 2015.

10:00 am – 10:05 am

Opening Remarks

• Efgan Nifti, Chief Executive Officer, Caspian Policy Center

10:05 am – 11:30 am

Moderated Discussion and Q&A with Ambassador (ret.) Matthew Klimow

• Introduction by Ambassador (ret.) Richard E. Hoagland, Board Chairman of the Caspian Policy Center
• Moderated by Dr. Eric Rudenshiold, Research Director and Senior Fellow of the Caspian Policy Center