CAREC Tourism Working Group Meeting

CAREC member countries, development partners, tourism experts, and private sector representatives convened in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on 9–11 September for the CAREC Tourism Working Group (TWG) Meeting. The meeting marked the reactivation of the TWG and gave renewed momentum to implementation of the CAREC Tourism Strategy 2030 and the 2025 Memorandum of Understanding on CAREC Regional Tourism Development.

In prerecorded opening remarks, Asad Aleem, Regional Head, CWRC, underscored the need to shift from strategy to delivery by strengthening regional coordination, building a stronger pipeline of tourism investments, and using the TWG as a platform for practical cooperation among CAREC member countries.

Participants reviewed the work program under ADB’s technical assistance on Sustainable Tourism and Services Trade, assessed tourism priorities and constraints across CAREC countries, and identified regional and cross-border project opportunities. Discussions emphasized connectivity, digitalization, sustainability, skills development, private sector engagement, and investment readiness as key enablers of a more competitive regional tourism sector.

The meeting further advanced plans to upgrade the Visit Silk Road portal, draw on international good practices in regional tourism coordination and investment promotion, and develop a robust pipeline of bankable regional tourism projects. Participants agreed on follow-up actions, country focal points, and priorities for 2026–2027, including project preparation support, sustainability benchmarking and initiatives, digital readiness assessments, and regional knowledge sharing.

The meeting concluded with a field visit to the UN Tourism Academy, regional Silk Road University, and the Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan, reinforcing the value of linking policy dialogue with practical learning and institutional cooperation. The outcomes provide a clearer basis for continued CAREC members to deepen collaboration, promote sustainable tourism, unlock new regional opportunities, and turn shared regional priorities into concrete, and investment-ready initiatives that can deliver tangible benefits initiatives.