The New Silk Road Forum 2025 • İstanbul • September 17th-19th, 2025
We are delighted to invite you to our annual summit in İstanbul this September!
The New Silk Road Forum 2025 will be two exhilarating days of thought-provoking discussion and debate (Thursday and Friday, September 18–19), surrounded by three nights of unforgettable adventure in one of the world’s most captivating cities.
A Stunning Venue
The Forum will take place at the magnificent Peninsula Istanbul, nestled on the shores of the Bosphorus in the heart of the historic Ottoman financial district. This iconic location is now part of the ambitious Galataport waterfront redevelopment, a vibrant urban hub featuring hundreds of shops and restaurants, the Istanbul Modern Art Museum, and a wealth of cultural and entertainment venues.
Provisional Agenda
Wednesday, September 17
5:00pm–8:00pm
Garden Party at a distinguished residence overlooking the Bosphorus in Yıldız Park, Beşiktaş
Featuring special guest appearances
Thursday, September 18
9:15am–4:45pm | The Peninsula Istanbul
Forum Day One
Welcome & Introduction (9:15): Isaac Schwartz, Haydar Acun, & the New Silk Road Team
Merchants’ Talks (9:40–11:10am): Thematic Investing Trends
Keynote Fireside Chat (11:10am–12:00pm): Nevzat Aydın, prominent angel investor and founder & former CEO, Yemeksepeti
Lunch (12:00–12:50pm): A sumptuous feast overlooking the Bosphorus
Keynote Lecture (1:00-1:50pm): Stuart Lawson, former CEO of HSBC Russia and former CEO of Citibank Russia, “Adventures of a maverick banker across the Silk Road”
Keynote Lecture (2:00-2:50pm): Prof. Dr. İlber Ortaylı, Professor, Galatasaray University and Bilkent University, and Director (Ret.), Topkapı Palace Museum
Merchants’ Talks (3:00–4:45pm): Global Investing Ideas
Thursday Evening
6:30pm–10:00pm
A party with unique Turkish cultural aspects, on a gorgeous private rooftop in Beyoğlu
An evening of curated Turkish traditions and flavors
Featuring esteemed special guest appearances
Friday, September 19
9:15am–4:45pm | The Peninsula Istanbul
Forum Day Two
Welcome Remarks (9:15am): Ahmet Burak Dağlıoğlu, President, Investment Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye
Merchants’ Talks (9:45–11:00am): Contrarian Investing from the Silk Road, Beyond
Keynote Fireside Chat (11:00am–11:50am): Oğuz Alper Öktem, founder & CEO, Martı, and Aydın Doğan Yalçındağ, founder, BluTV, on Türkiye’s startup ecosystem
Lunch (12:00–12:40pm): A delicious meal beside the Bosphorus
Keynote Fireside Chat (12:50–1:40pm): featuring value investing legends Bob Robotti & Paul Isaac
Keynote Fireside Chat (1:40–2:30pm): Dr. Kairat Kelimbetov, Director, Freedom Holding, and Governor (Ret.), National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Merchants’ Talks (2:30–4:45pm)
Friday Evening
7:00pm–Late
Dinner & Revelry at Sunset Grill & Bar, Ulus Park
With exquisite cuisine and panoramic city views, Sunset Grill is renowned as one of Europe’s finest restaurants
What’s Included
Your ticket grants you access to all conference sessions (Thursday and Friday), as well as dinners and unique experiences each evening (Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday).
For those attending with a guest, a companion ticket (“Friend of NSR”) is available, including access to all dinners and evening events, but excluding the conference itself.
Official Hotel Partners
Our official hotel partner is The Peninsula Istanbul—also the conference venue. To book at our special rates, please contact Can (canmeynioglu@peninsula.com) and mention you're with us.
We also have a partnership with the DeCamondo Galata. To book at our group rates, enter booking code B0268 on Marriott.com or the Bonvoy app, or contact reservation@decamondo.com and say you’re with us.
Participants are welcome to stay at any hotel in Istanbul. The Galata district offers many outstanding options that are just a few minutes’ walk away.
Join Our Community
To reserve your place or for more information, please contact us.
We look forward to welcoming you to Istanbul for an extraordinary experience at the New Silk Road Forum 2025!