This has been an eventful year for the CAREC program with a full range of activities taking place across priority clusters of CAREC 2030. This newsletter provides key highlights of the program in the region for your information and recollection. CAREC program has maintained its momentum despite the difficulties brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. We aim to restart the regular sharing of CAREC newsletter in the coming year to keep member countries and our partners consistently informed about program activities.
A new web portal has been launched to publish major achievements, track progress and encourage common solutions in the energy sector.
CAREC’s New Tourism Portal The web portal will serve as a regional tool for consolidating tourism-related information and provide an enabling platform for private sector participation in CAREC tourism initiatives.
The 20th CAREC Ministerial Conference, held virtually on 17th November was hosted by the government of Azerbaijan and reflected on the impact of program interventions across the region.
On 20 April, a regional workshop on implementing a road map for Shymkent-Tashkent-Khujand Economic Corridor (STKEC) development was co-organized virtually with Tajikistan.
CAREC Energy Investment Forum The web portal will serve as a regional tool for consolidating tourism-related information and provide an enabling platform for private sector participation in CAREC tourism initiatives.
Training on the Establishment of Pest-Free Areas On 8-10 June 2021, a training on establishing pest free areas was organized as part of a series of activities under the Fergana Valley Pilot Initiative which supports implementation of International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures.
ADB/CAREC held a virtual workshop, attended by representatives from Georgia, Tajikistan, and Pakistan, to facilitate the exchange of experiences and lessons learned from the development of road asset management systems (RAMS).
Learning and Realigning
To learn if the program is on track to achieve CAREC 2030 targets; measure progress; and find out how we make development more effective, a Development Effectiveness Review (DEfR) was carried out this year.
Notable Publications
E-Commerce in CAREC Countries: Laws and Policies
This study examines the legal environment of electronic transactions along with opportunities and challenges in developing electronic commerce in CAREC countries. Read More
Harnessing the Role of Technology in Promoting Safe Tourism Destinations in CAREC
The paper on harnessing the role of technology in promoting safe tourism destinations in the CAREC region. Read More
Analysis of Public Attitudes towards COVID-19 Vaccination in Selected CAREC Countries
This research report covers findings of population polls in Q1 2021 about public attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccinations in seven CAREC countries: Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Read More
Expanding Agri-Trade in Central Asia through the Use of Electronic Certificates
The brief shares findings from a survey by ADB and the CAREC Institute on the use of information and communication technology to implement electronic phytosanitary certification in CAREC countries. Read More
Ports and Logistics Scoping Study in CAREC Countries
The study seeks to identify areas and potential activities that will require cooperation among member countries and development partners within the framework of the CAREC Program. Read More
The Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program is a regional cooperation initiative consisting of 11 member countries and development partners and aims to promote development through cooperation, leading to accelerated economic growth and shared prosperity. The CAREC 2030 Strategy emphasizes the integration of information and communication technology (ICT) across the CAREC Program’s spectrum of operations. Through its upcoming digital initiatives, efforts are being made to accelerate digital adoption in the Program’s five operational clusters. These initiatives will also support innovation and entrepreneurship to promote economic growth, create new jobs, and improve access to services. The Program is harnessing startup ecosystems at the regional level to encourage activity and collaboration with the private sector.
The purpose of this communication is to apprise you of various activities in the CAREC region relating to startup ecosystems, digitalization, and information technology.
