18th CAREC Ministerial Conference

The theme for this year’s ministerial conference is “A new CAREC—Expanding Horizons of Regional Cooperation.”

Highlights of this year’s meeting include:

(i) a roundtable in discussion on the new CAREC Transport and Energy strategies and CAREC 2030 implementation and

(ii) a high-level public–private dialogue on promoting sustainable tourism development in the CAREC region through public–private partnerships.

In his special address, Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Takehiko Nakao reaffirmed ADB’s commitment to the CAREC Program. President Nakao highlighted ADB’s support in 2019 to regional projects in the CAREC region to promote horticultural trade and improve connectivity and border services. He noted the successful introduction of a series of events under CAREC to facilitate high-level macroeconomic policy dialogue among member countries.

Adviser to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Ravshan Gulyamov opened the conference and delivered a special message from the President of Uzbekistan. Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan and ADB Governor Elyor Ganiev delivered a keynote address. Uzbekistan Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade Sardor Umurzakov and ADB Vice-President Shixin Chen chaired the conference.

President Nakao also held a bilateral meeting with Minister of Economic Affairs Division of Pakistan Muhammad Hammad Azhar and discussed the country’s macroeconomic situation and future ADB support.

Ministers and senior officials from 11 CAREC member countries and high-level representatives from development partners attended the conference, which endorsed the CAREC Transport Strategy 2030 and CAREC Energy Strategy 2030.

Front row (left to right): Tajikistan Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mr. Nematullo Hikmattullozoda; Afghanistan Acting Minister of Finance and Chief Instructure Adviser of the President Mr. Mohammad Humayon Qayoumi; Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan and ADB Governor Mr. Elyor Ganiev; Adviser to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Mr. Ravshan Gulyamov; ADB President Mr. Takehiko Nakao; Uzbekistan Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade Mr. Sardor Umurzakov; Kazakhstan Minister of National Economy Mr. Ruslan Dalenov; Minister of the Economic Affairs Division of Pakistan Mr. Muhammad Hammad Azhar; and the Kyrgyz Republic’s Minister of Culture, Information, and Tourism Mr. Azamat Zhamankulov. Back row (left to right): ADB Director General for East Asia Ms. Amy Leung; State Secretary of Mongolia’s Ministry of Finance Mr. Sanjaa Narantsogt; Georgia Deputy Minister for the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development Mr. Akaki Saghirashvili; Azerbaijan Deputy Minister for the Ministry of Economy Mr. Sahib Mammadov; Uzbekistan Deputy Minister for the Ministry of Investments and Foreign Trade Mr. Shukrat Vafaev; ADB Vice-President Mr. Shixin Chen; Vice Minister of the People’s Republic of China’s Ministry of Finance Mr. Hongcai Xu; Deputy Minister of Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Energy Mr. Batyr Hudayberdyyev; and ADB Director General for Central and West Asia Mr. Werner Liepach.

Key Documents

Agenda | РУССКИЙ

Participants

Summary of Proceedings

Special Address by ADB President Takehiko Nakao

Joint Ministerial Statement | РУССКИЙ

Report of the Senior Officials’ Meetings to the CAREC Ministers | РУССКИЙ

High–Level Public–Private Dialogue: Promoting Sustainable Tourism Development in the CAREC Region through Public–Private Partnerships | РУССКИЙ

CAREC Transport Strategy 2030

CAREC Energy Strategy 2030

Presentation Materials

CAREC 2030 Implementation Progress | РУССКИЙ

CAREC Transport Strategy 2030 | РУССКИЙ

CAREC Economic Outlook–Growth and Stability Amidst Uncertainty | РУССКИЙ

Smart Borders–Seamless Trade, Travel, and Transport in CAREC | РУССКИЙ

News Releases

ADB President confirms support for expanded agenda of Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation at 18th Ministerial Conference

New regional energy strategy maps path to secure energy future for CAREC region