CAREC Ministers Issue Joint Statement to Support CAREC 2020 Implementation Plan

At the conclusion of the 11th Ministerial Conference on Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation on 30 October 2012, CAREC Ministers lauded the progress the CAREC Program since 2001. Almost $20 billion has been invested in programs and projects.

Ministers were pleased with the developments CAREC made in its priority areas:

  • In transport, physical connectivity is well on track with almost half of the targeted road and rail sections of the six corridors already completed. The planned midterm review of the CAREC Transport and Trade Facilitation and Action Plan will be undertaken.
  • In energy, a regional power master plan for Central Asia has been completed. The capacity to implement regional dispatch and regulatory systems in power trading is under development. And, a common understanding has been reached on the initial need to develop the analytical tools for water management at the national and regional levels.
  • In trade facilitation, initiatives such as improvements in border services, expansion of joint customs control between Mongolia and the People’s Republic of China, capacity development for CAREC customs officials, and the identification of regional initiatives in sanitary and phytosanitary measures are successful. The contribution of the CAREC Federation of Carrier and Forwarder Associations to transport corridor development has been commended.
  • In trade policy, capacity-building and knowledge-sharing sessions were conducted to support the accession to the World Trade Organization for a number of CAREC countries. Trade openness of the CAREC countries is still being promoted and monitored through the development of indices to help gauge progress and performance.

Ministers also adopted the Wuhan Action Plan that will guide the implementation of CAREC 2020. In the next 5 years, the Action Plan will prioritize planning, preparation, fund mobilization, and implementation of projects and activities in transport, energy, trade facilitation, and trade policy. It will deliver knowledge products and capacity development activities under the CAREC Institute. It will also pursue a practical, results-oriented, and corridor-based approach to facilitate cross-border transport.

Ministers acknowledged the support of the multilateral and bilateral institution partners and thanked the Government of the People’s Republic of China for hosting the conference.

Read Joint Ministerial Statement in full.