Past Events

CAREC Seminar on AI-Driven Transformation in Digital Trade and E-Commerce

  On 26 September 2024 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province of the PRC, government and private sector representatives from CAREC members discussed the transformative role of emerging technologies, particularly, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in digital trade and cross-border e-commerce. At the Opening Session of the 3rd Global Digital Trade Expo (GDTE) with the theme […]

Virtual Consultation on the Azerbaijan COP29 Proposal for the CAREC Partnership for Climate, Innovation, and Trade

This year’s Conference of Parties (COP29) will be held for the first time in the CAREC member country—Azerbaijan—from 11–24 November 2024. Among the initiatives proposed by Azerbaijan is the “CAREC Partnership for Climate, Innovation and Trade.” The proposed initiative aims to promote the development of smart and technology-driven solutions to greening and facilitating regional trade. […]

23rd CAREC Customs Cooperation Committee Meeting

The 23rd Meeting of the CAREC Customs Cooperation Committee (CCC) was held on 15-16 August 2024 in Astana, Kazakhstan, and attended by high-level customs officials from Azerbaijan, the People’s Republic of China, Georgia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The CCC noted the implementation progress of member countries, including Azerbaijan, the […]

National Workshop on the Enhancement and Sustainability of the Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) Program in CAREC: Training of Trainers, Kazakhstan

ADB organized the National Workshop on the Enhancement and Sustainability of the Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) Program in CAREC: Training the Trainers in Astana, Kazakhstan on 13-14 August 2024. Officials from the State Revenue Committee of Kazakhstan and private sector representatives attended the workshop. Resource speakers and experts from Korea Customs Service, General Administration of Customs of […]

Virtual Consultation on the Proposed CAREC Electronic Exchange and Mutual Recognition of Conformity Certificates

Representatives from CAREC standardization and accreditation bodies, customs, ICT, and trade agencies discussed the potential to exchange conformity certificates electronically. Korea Trade Network (KTNET)—a specialized company in exporting global electronic paperless trade systems—presented a proposal to develop a prototype for electronic exchange and mutual recognition arrangement in the CAREC region. The initiative is part of […]

CAREC Webinar on ePhyto Solutions to Support Digitalization of the Export/Import Process in Azerbaijan and Georgia

Facilitating trade through digitalization is a key priority under the CAREC Integrated Trade Agenda 2030. On 30 July 2024, the webinar highlighted the benefits of exchanging phytosanitary certificates electronically through the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC)’s ePhyto Solution. The webinar noted the progress of CAREC members—particularly, Uzbekistan as the first CAREC member to exchange ePhytos in 2021 and Pakistan […]

Regional Workshop on CAREC Trade & Investment Facilitation (CARTIF)

ADB conducted a two-day regional workshop on CAREC Trade and Investment Facilitation (CARTIF) in Istanbul (Türkiye) on 19-20 June 2024. This regional workshop was organized with the following purposes: to review existing regional trade and investment agreements/arrangements; to share the CARTIF concept, workplan and methodology, and get CAREC countries’ reflections on these; to conduct in-depth […]

Second Central Asia Trade Policy Forum: Economic Integration Through WTO Accession and Membership

The Forum—with the theme “Economic Integration Through WTO Accession and Membership” — was organized by the World Trade Organization (WTO), the ADB under the CAREC Program, the International Trade Centre, and the Government of Kazakhstan in Almaty on 3-5 June 2024. WTO Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala underscored the importance of strengthening institutions and re-globalizing Central Asia amid heightened uncertainty and volatility. She focused her […]

Mongolia: National Workshop on Potential CAREC-wide Trade Agreement (Virtual)

The National Workshops are aimed at building national consensus in CAREC countries, the governments of which have expressed the strongest interest to prepare and pursue negotiations towards an eventual CAREC-wide trade agreement. The major objective of this Workshop is to raise awareness among a broad range of interested stakeholders, of the potential of the CAREC […]

National Workshop on the Enhancement and Sustainability of the Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) Program in CAREC: Training of Trainers, Mongolia

On 29-30 April 2024, ADB co-organized the National Workshop on the enhancement and sustainability of the Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) Program with the Mongolian Customs General Administration (MCGA) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Over 55 officials from customs, development partners, and private sector representatives participated in the two-day workshop. Resource speakers and experts from Korea Customs Service, […]