About

The 8th Annual Summit of the New Silk Road Forum took place in the vibrant city of İstanbul from September 25th to 27th, 2024. This prestigious event featured two full days of intensive discussions and debates hosted in remarkable venues, coupled with three nights celebrating Turkish culture and hospitality. It provided participants a unique blend of intellectual exchange and cultural immersion, set against the backdrop of one of the world's most historic and lively cities.

Event Venue and Atmosphere

The forum was held at the former central bank of the Ottoman Empire, now transformed into a museum of financial history, adding a rich historical context to the conference. Attendees enjoyed gourmet catering by Neolokal, a Michelin-starred restaurant, enhancing the experience with exquisite local cuisine. The setting was exclusive and inspiring, fostering both professional networking and deep cultural appreciation.

Daily Highlights and Discussions

Wednesday Evening

The summit kicked off with a garden party and cocktail reception at the Garih Residence in Yıldız Park, Beyoğlu. This event welcomed special guests, including Mr. Kenan Poleo, HM Consul General in Istanbul, offering a relaxed and elegant start to the gathering.

Thursday - Forum Day One

The first full day of the forum took place at Salt Galata, featuring thematic investing trends in "Merchants’ Talks" sessions. A keynote fireside chat titled "This Decade’s Opportunities in Eurasian Infrastructure," featured notable figures such as Sani Şener, Founding Partner of TAV Airports, and İzzet Garih, Chairman of Alarko Holding. The day included extensive talks on investment and infrastructure trends with a lunch break curated by Neolokal.

In the evening, participants enjoyed a cruise on the Bosphorus departing from Galataport. Guests were treated to a sailing chef’s tasting menu alongside selected wines and traditional pastries, guided culturally by master of ceremonies Euan Rellie, co-founder of BDA Partners. This event offered views of both the Asian and European sides of İstanbul, celebrating the city’s unique geography and heritage.

Friday - Forum Day Two

The second day at Salt Galata started with "Merchants’ Talks" discussing contrarian investment views related to the Silk Road and beyond. This was followed by a keynote fireside chat with Oğuz Alper Öktem, CEO of Martı, delving into innovative business strategies and the future of regional development. After lunch, further sessions continued until late afternoon.

The summit concluded with dinner at Sunset Grill & Bar in Ulus Park, one of Europe’s premier dining venues known for its fine cuisine and excellent ambiance. This evening event was designed to cap off the conference with celebration and networking opportunities in a relaxed yet luxurious setting.

Participant Experience

Each attendee’s ticket included access to all conference sessions, lunches by Neolokal, and the three evening cultural experiences. For guests accompanying participants but not attending sessions, companion tickets offered access to evening events and meals only. The official hotel partner was DeCamondo Galata, conveniently located next to the venue, with other recommended hotels nearby.

Broader Context and Past Forum Themes

The New Silk Road Forum, an annual event, regularly hosts influential leaders and thinkers to discuss global investment, infrastructure, and regional development along the historic Silk Road route. Past forums have addressed subjects like cross-border infrastructure challenges, regional financial hubs, defense industry spending, and the evolving electric vehicle market.

The 8th Annual Summit successfully blended high-level business dialogue with cultural engagement, highlighting İstanbul’s role as a historical crossroads that continues to influence global economic and cultural interaction.