John Defterios, APCO’s Chair for the Middle East and North Africa, who is participating in the OGT 2026 conference, stated that Turkmenistan is in a strong position to develop new export markets. According to his assessment, this is facilitated by the world’s fourth-largest natural gas reserves and long-standing strategic partnerships with major companies and countries.

Defterios, who previously worked as an emerging markets editor and energy correspondent at CNN, is attending OGT for the first time; however, he notes that he is well-acquainted with Central Asia and its connections to global markets. He pointed out that Turkmenistan’s collaborations with its partners have spanned 20, 25, and even 30 years.

According to the expert, representatives from Türkiye and the European Gas Center spoke at the conference, discussing Turkmenistan’s development. He believes that, thanks to these processes and partnerships, the country is experiencing its "finest hour."

Among the key themes of the forum, Defterios highlighted the importance of international cooperation and strategic partnerships for expanding gas exports, as well as the country’s economic development. He pointed to the modern infrastructure and the educated young population. Together with its gas reserves, he noted, this opens up good prospects for Turkmenistan over the next four to five decades.

The expert also congratulated the OGT organizers on the conference’s 31st anniversary and highly commended the level of discussion regarding strategic partnerships, key export markets, and economic development based on natural resources.