Atlantic Council Regional Conference on Energy and Infrastructure – Atlantic Council

Report on the Atlantic Council Regional Conference on Energy and Infrastructure and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

In November 2026, the Atlantic Council is scheduled to convene its fourth Regional Conference on Energy and Infrastructure in Istanbul, Turkey. This biennial forum gathers high-level stakeholders to address critical issues in energy, infrastructure, and strategic cooperation across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The conference’s agenda is intrinsically linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on creating a sustainable, resilient, and prosperous future for the region.

Core Thematic Areas and SDG Alignment

The conference agenda is structured around key pillars that directly support the achievement of several SDGs. The primary focus areas include energy security, clean energy transition, infrastructure investment, and regional stability.

1. Energy Transition and Security (SDG 7 & SDG 13)

   A central theme is advancing the deployment of clean energy and managing the energy transition. This directly addresses SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) by promoting access to sustainable energy for all and SDG 13 (Climate Action) by charting a path to reduce carbon emissions and build climate resilience.

2. Infrastructure Investment and Reconstruction (SDG 9 & SDG 11)

   Discussions on infrastructure investment and reconstruction are critical for fostering innovation and building resilient infrastructure, a core target of SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). These efforts also contribute to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by developing infrastructure that is sustainable and inclusive.

3. Strategic Cooperation and Regional Stability (SDG 16 & SDG 17)

   The conference broadens its scope to include trade, regional security, and geopolitical dynamics. This fosters dialogue aimed at promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, aligning with SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). The gathering itself, which convenes ministers, CEOs, investors, and innovators, exemplifies SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by creating a multi-stakeholder platform for collaboration.

Review of Past Convenings

The 2026 event will build upon the foundation of previous successful conferences held in 2024, 2022, and 2020. The 2024 conference serves as a notable benchmark for the event’s scale and impact on fostering partnerships (SDG 17).

• 2024 Conference Data:
  • Participants: Over 200 in-person attendees and over 6,000 online participants.
  • Speakers: 50 speakers from 17 different countries.
  • Sessions: 11 panels and four keynote addresses focused on the clean energy transition and energy security.
  • Outcomes: Facilitated numerous private dialogues, including a closed ministerial meeting, two private roundtables, and 15 bilateral government-to-government and government-to-business meetings, directly advancing collaborative efforts.

Forthcoming 2026 Conference and Strategic Outlook

The 2026 conference in Istanbul will continue to serve as a critical platform for advancing the sustainable development agenda. It offers a forum for senior executives, policymakers, and global thought leaders to collaborate on solutions that promote global growth and stability.

Call for Strategic Partnerships

In line with SDG 17, opportunities are available for organizations to become strategic partners. This collaboration is essential for shaping the region’s sustainable energy future and achieving shared development goals. Interested parties are directed to contact Grady Wilson for further information.

Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

• The article is centered around the “Atlantic Council Regional Conference on Energy and Infrastructure,” with a primary focus on “clean energy deployment,” “the energy transition,” and “Renewable Energy.” These topics are the core of SDG 7, which aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

• The conference explicitly addresses “infrastructure investment” and “reconstruction.” The article also mentions discussions on “new technologies” in the context of energy. This aligns with SDG 9’s goal of building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation.

SDG 13: Climate Action

• The article highlights the conference’s objective of “advancing the clean energy transition” and notes its timing “ahead of COP29.” The transition from traditional energy sources to clean and renewable energy is a critical strategy for combating climate change, which is the central theme of SDG 13.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• The conference is described as a “flagship gathering” that “convenes ministers, chief executive officers, investors, and innovators from across the region and the transatlantic community.” It facilitates “strategic cooperation,” “bilateral government-to-government and government-to-business meetings,” directly embodying the multi-stakeholder partnership approach promoted by SDG 17 to achieve sustainable development.

What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

1. Target 7.2: “By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.” The conference’s focus on “clean energy deployment” and its history as a “Renewable Energy Outlook Conference” directly support this target by bringing together key players to advance renewable energy projects.
2. Target 7.a: “By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology… and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology.” The event serves as a platform for international cooperation, connecting policymakers and investors to discuss “financing, investment, regulation, and new technologies” in clean energy.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

1. Target 9.1: “Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… to support economic development and human well-being.” The conference’s agenda on “infrastructure investment” and “reconstruction” is aimed at developing the energy infrastructure necessary for regional growth and stability.
2. Target 9.4: “By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable… with greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies.” The theme of “energy transition” implies upgrading existing energy infrastructure to accommodate and promote clean technologies.

SDG 13: Climate Action

1. Target 13.2: “Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.” The conference provides a forum for “ministers” and “policymakers” to discuss and shape the region’s “energy future,” which includes integrating the “clean energy transition” into national and regional strategies.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

1. Target 17.16: “Enhance the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships.” The conference itself is a multi-stakeholder partnership, bringing together government (“ministers”), the private sector (“chief executive officers, investors”), and civil society/academia (“innovators,” “global thought leaders”) to address shared goals.
2. Target 17.17: “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.” The article explicitly mentions that the conference facilitated “fifteen bilateral government-to-government and government-to-business meetings,” which are direct examples of the public and public-private partnerships this target aims to promote.

Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

1. Implied Indicator for Target 7.2: The focus on “Renewable Energy Outlook” and “clean energy deployment” implies a measurement of the share of renewable energy in the total energy consumption of the participating regions.
2. Implied Indicator for Target 7.a: The discussions on “financing” and “investment” imply tracking international financial flows to the region for the development of clean and renewable energy infrastructure.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

1. Implied Indicator for Target 9.1: The agenda item of “infrastructure investment” suggests that a key metric for progress would be the total investment in energy infrastructure as a percentage of GDP in the region.

SDG 13: Climate Action

1. Implied Indicator for Target 13.2: The gathering of high-level officials to discuss the “energy transition” implies an effort to increase the number of countries with nationally determined contributions, long-term strategies, and adaptation plans that reflect a commitment to clean energy.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

1. Mentioned Indicator for Target 17.17: The article provides concrete numbers that can serve as indicators of partnership-building activities. These include the “fifty speakers from seventeen countries,” “over two hundred attendees,” and “fifteen bilateral government-to-government and government-to-business meetings.” These figures measure the scale and frequency of multi-stakeholder dialogues and collaborations facilitated by the conference.

SDGs, Targets and Indicators Table

Source: atlanticcouncil.org