The US-Syria Energy Symposium

  • Thu, March 26, 2026 • 10:00 am ET
  • Atlantic Council Headquarters
  • 1400 L Street NW • Floor 11
  • Washington, DC 20005

The head of the Syria Petroleum Company and others join the Atlantic Council and the US-Syria Business Council for a conversation on Syria’s evolving energy landscape, and how it relates to economic recovery and US engagement.

On Thursday, March 26 at 10:00 a.m. ET, The Atlantic Council’s Syria Project and the US-Syria Business Council will host a public discussion on Syria’s evolving energy landscape, featuring Yousef Qiblawy, CEO of the Syria Petroleum Company. 

As Syria navigates a critical transition from prolonged conflict toward economic stabilization and reconstruction, the energy sector will play a central role in shaping the country’s recovery trajectory. This conversation will examine the current state of Syria’s oil and gas industry, the regulatory and structural reforms underway to attract responsible investment, opportunities for US companies, and the challenges faced when seeking to engage in Syria’s emerging market. The discussion will also assess how Syria’s energy development could contribute to broader economic revitalization, regional integration, and long-term stability.

New policy: In-person attendees will be required to show photo ID upon arrival, and no on-site registration will be permitted. Guests will not be admitted later than twenty minutes after the event’s start time.

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Send our speakers a question—it may be featured during our event.

Keynote remarks

Ambassador Thomas Barrack
US Ambassador to the Republic of Türkiye and Special Envoy for Syria,
US Department of State

Speakers

Hunter Hunt
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,
Hunt Oil Company

Yousef Qiblawy
Chief Executive Officer,
Syria Petroleum Company

Noam Raydan
Senior Fellow,
The Washington Institute of Near East Policy

Jay Salkini
Chairman,
US-Syria Business Council

Jacob Mcgee
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Israeli-Palestinian Affairs and the Levant Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs
US Department of State

Victoria J. Taylor
Director, Iraq Initiative and Syria Project,
Atlantic Council

Moderated by

Wa’el Alzayat
Executive Director,
US-Syria Business Council;
Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project,
Atlantic Council 

Agenda

10:00–10:10 a.m. | Welcome remarks

Speakers

Victoria J. Taylor
Director, Iraq Initiative and Syria Project
Atlantic Council

Jay Salkini
Chairman
US-Syria Business Council

 

10:10–10:40 a.m. | Keynote remarks

Speakers

Ambassador Thomas Barrack
US Ambassador to the Republic of Türkiye and Special Envoy for Syria
US Department of State

Yousef Qiblawy
Chief Executive Officer
Syria Petroleum Company

 

10:40–11:30 a.m. | Energy resources in Syria and opportunities for US companies

Speakers

Yousef Qiblawy
Chief Executive Officer
Syria Petroleum Company

Hunter Hunt
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Hunt Oil Company

Jacob Mcgee 
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Israeli- Palestinian Affairs and the Levant Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs
US Department of State

Noam Raydan
Senior Fellow
The Washington Institute of Near East Policy

Moderated by

Wa’el Alzayat
Executive Director
US-Syria Business Council;
Nonresident senior fellow, Syria Project
Atlantic Council

 

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