25th CAREC Ministerial Conference
25th CAREC Ministerial Conference and Related Events
28 September to 2 October 2026 | Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| Day (Date) | Main Event | Side Events |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1, Monday, 28 September 2026 | CAREC Development Partners Dialogue: Advancing Trade, Tourism and Regional Competitiveness 13:00–17:00H |
Bilateral/Subregional Project-Specific Consultation Meetings TBC |
| Day 2, Tuesday, 29 September 2026 | 25th CAREC Ministerial Conference 10:00–17:00H |
Bilateral/Subregional Project-Specific Consultation Meetings TBC |
| Day 3, Wednesday, 30 September 2026 | CAREC Business Forum, Day 1 Scaling Up Investment – Driving Infrastructure Transformation 08:30–17:30H |
CAREC Institute Governing Council meeting 14:00–16:00H Bilateral/Subregional Project-Specific Consultation Meetings TBC |
| Day 4, Thursday, 1 October 2026 | CAREC Business Forum, Day 2 Mongolia in the Regional Spotlight 08:30-17:30H |
First CAREC Capital Markets Development Forum (CMDF) Chairs Meeting (Day 1) 08:30-17:00H |
| Day 5, Friday, 2 October 2026 | CMDF International Conference (Day 2) 08:30-17:30H |
CAREC Energy Sector Coordinating Committee Meeting 08:30-13:00H |
25th CAREC Ministerial Conference
29 September 2026 | Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| 09:55–10:00 | 25th CAREC Ministerial Conference Video Presentation |
| 10:00–10:07 | Welcome Address Mr. Enkhbayar Jadamba First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy and Development, Mongolia |
| 10:07–10:14 | Keynote Address Mr. Masato Kanda President, Asian Developmebt Bank (ADB) |
| 10:14–10:27 | Setting the Stage: CAREC Program’s 25 Years of Partnership and the Road Ahead Mr. Asad Aleem, Regional Head, Regional Cooperation and Integration, Central and West Asia Department (CWRD), ADB |
| 10:27–10:40 | Documents to be signed
– MOU on Capital Markets Development Forum (CMDF) Group Photo for Heads of Delegations |
| 10:40–11:00 | Coffee Break |
| Moderator: Mr. Yingming Yang, Vice-President (South, Central, and West Asia), ADB | |
| 11:00–12:10 | Ministerial Statements from all CAREC Members (5 minutes each) Perspectives from High-Level Development Partners Delegates (3 minutes each) The session will reflect on the program’s most significant impact over the past 25 years e.g., in helping countries address shared development challenges, strengthen regional connectivity and cooperation, and deepen their integration into regional and global markets. Concrete regional project achievements as well as lessons to sustain the program’s role as a unique platform for regional cooperation will be highlighted. Looking back on your country’s participation in the CAREC Program, what has been the most significant impact for your country’s development priorities, regional connectivity, or economic integration? Can you share a concrete example of how a CAREC investment project or initiative has delivered tangible benefits for your stakeholders including businesses, communities, traders, SMEs, youth, or government institutions? |
| 12:10–12:30 | Presentation: Regional Economic Prospects at a Time of Geopolitical Turbulence
Moderator: Ms. Leah Gutierrez, Director General, Central and West Asia Department, ADB Presenter: Mr. Subir Lall, Deputy Director, Middle East and Central Asia Department International Monetary Fund (15 minutes) |
| 12:30–13:30 | Lunch |
| Moderator: Ms. Davaasuren Sodnomdarjaa, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Economy and Development, Mongolia
Presenter: Mr. Hideaki Iwasaki, Director General, Sectors Department 1, ADB Panelists: – Mr. Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives (TBC) – Mr. Genadi Arveladze, Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development and CAREC National Focal Point for Georgia – Mr. Sultan Akhmatov, Deputy Minister of Economy and Commerce and CAREC National Focal Point for the Kyrgyz Republic – Mr. Begmyrat Allakbayev, Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan – Mr. Ilzat Kasimov, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan |
|
| The session will discuss economic corridor development as a transformative regional initiative in the CAREC region—from linear transport routes into spatially integrated development zones. By addressing both connectivity and spatial dimensions, economic corridors increase trade and industrialization, foster cross-border value chains and regional hubs, promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, and support regional public goods such as climate resilience and safer movement of people. The session will feature a broad spectrum of investment pipeline and financing modalities, including policy- and results-based programs supporting the CAREC transport corridors, trade facilitation and border upgrades, energy connectivity, and special economic zones.
Guide questions for CAREC Ministers: |
| 14:50–15:00 | Launch: Borders Upgrades for Integration, Logistics, and Development (BUILD) Facility
Signing: Letter of Intent between ADB and KfW to Cooperate under the BUILD Facility |
| 15:00–15:15 | Coffee break |
| Moderator: Ms. Leah Gutierrez, Director General, Central and West Asia Department, ADB
Presenter: Mr. Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Pakistan (TBC) Panelists: – Mr. Olzhas Kabenov, Deputy Chairman of the Telecommunications Committee, the Ministry of Artificial and Digital Development (MAIDD), Kazakhstan – Mr. Myagmarnaran Bavuujav, State Secretary, Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Communications – Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of Kazakhstan (TBC) – Ms. Indu John-Abraham, Operations Manager for Central Asia, World Bank – Dr. Jean Koh, President and CEO of Korea Trade Network |
|
| In response to a rapidly evolving landscape, CAREC is accelerating efforts to establish the CAREC Digital Corridor, anchored on cross-border connectivity, data infrastructure and computing capacity that allow smooth flow of information, services, and innovation. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is accelerating this shift through national strategies, AI institutions, innovation hubs, and digital infrastructure as well as stronger cooperation and governance (e.g., World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization). Through regional cooperation, CAREC members can leverage digital connectivity and AI to support economic diversification, smarter trade and transport, efficient energy and water management, productive agriculture, and climate resilience.
Guide questions for CAREC Ministers: |
| 16:45–17:00 | Moderator: Mr. Dugersuren Davaadash, Director General, Trade and Economic Cooperation Policy Department, Ministry of Economy and Development of Mongolia, CAREC NFP
Statement from Monoglia Interventions from CAREC Ministers and/or Development Partners (optional) Adoption of the Ulaanbaatar Declaration |
| 10:05–11:20 | Moderator: Mr. Asif Cheema, Country Director, ADB Resident Mission in the PRC
2027 Host Country Statement Statement from Mongolia Closing Remarks from ADB |
| 18:30–20.00 | Dinner Hosted by the Government of Mongolia Venue: Ikh Tenger Complex |
CAREC Development Partners Dialogue: Advancing Trade, Tourism and Regional Competitiveness
Day 1, Monday, 28 September 2026
Ministerial Conference
Country Statements
Development Partners’ Statement
CAREC Business Forum
Event Videos
Event Photos
Coming Soon