A significant knowledge-sharing event, centered on ‘Regional Energy Interconnections for Sustainable Development’, was a prominent feature during the second day of the 2026 Annual Meetings of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group. Held under the overarching theme of ‘Regional Integration for Sustainable Prosperity’, the session brought together senior government officials, development partners, energy sector leaders, and technical experts. The discussions underscored the pivotal role that cross-border energy infrastructure plays in bolstering energy security, broadening access to electricity, facilitating the integration of renewable energy, and nurturing sustainable economic growth across IsDB Group Member Countries.
Opening the event, Mr. Orkhan Zeynalov, Deputy Minister of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, articulated the critical importance of regional energy connectivity as a driver for economic advancement and sustainable development.
IsDB’s Vision for Optimized Energy Resources
Delivering a keynote address, Mr. Issa Faye, Director General of Global Practice and Partnerships at IsDB, elaborated on how robust regional energy interconnections empower countries to optimize their energy resources more effectively. He emphasized that such collaborations enhance the reliability of electricity supply, reduce costs, significantly support the integration of renewable energy sources, and cultivate more robust regional economic cooperation.
Expert Panel Discusses Landmark Projects and Lessons Learned
The forum included in-depth panel discussions moderated by Mr. Idrissa Dia, Director of the Economic and Social Infrastructure Department (ESID) at IsDB. The distinguished panelists included H.E. Mr. Yusuf Majidi, First Deputy Minister of Finance of the Republic of Tajikistan; Mr. Sherard Cowper-Coles, Vice President and Corporate Secretary at the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank; Mr. Siegfried Leffler, Head of Operations at GIZ International Services; and Mr. Abdoulaye DIA, Secretary General of the West African Power Pool (WAPP).
These leaders shared invaluable insights from their involvement in major initiatives such as CASA-1000, the OMVG Interconnection Project, and the Rogun Hydropower Plant. Their contributions provided crucial lessons on project preparation, financing strategies, effective governance, comprehensive risk management, and the development of commercially viable regional electricity markets.
Benefits of Interconnected Power Systems
Participants universally acknowledged that interconnected power systems offer substantial advantages. These include improved energy security, substantial cost reductions, expanded access to reliable electricity, and a greater capacity for integrating renewable energy sources. The discussions also brought to the fore the critical need for enhanced regional cooperation and the vital role of initiatives like Mission 300 in addressing escalating energy demand and underpinning long-term economic transformation.
Call for Accelerated Collaboration and Key Priorities
The event concluded with a compelling call for intensified collaboration among governments, development institutions, utility providers, and regulatory bodies. The objective is to accelerate the development of regional energy corridors. Key priorities identified for future action include deepening market integration, strengthening regulatory cooperation, pioneering innovative financing mechanisms, refining risk-mitigation frameworks, and fostering greater coordination among all stakeholders.
The deliberations reaffirmed the IsDB’s unwavering commitment to advancing regional integration through the development of sustainable energy infrastructure, with the ultimate goals of promoting energy security, facilitating economic transformation, and fostering shared prosperity.
