CAREC Chief Negotiators Advance Preparations for CARTIF Zero-Round Negotiations

The Chief Negotiators’ Meeting for the CAREC Trade and Investment Facilitation Partnership (CARTIF) Agreement was held on 8 May 2026. The online meeting gathered chief negotiators and country delegations from CAREC member countries. 

Opening the meeting, CWRC Regional Head Asad Aleem noted emphasized that the flexible and modular design of CARTIF enables broader participation and addresses the unique circumstances of each country.  

Facilitated by CWRC Principal Regional Cooperation Specialist Zulfia Karimova, discussions focused on the proposed CARTIF negotiation modalities and preparations for the upcoming zero-round negotiations. Participants discussed approaches to ensure an efficient, inclusive, transparent, and results-oriented negotiation process. Participants expressed strong support for the proposed framework and confirmed their readiness to begin the CARTIF Zero-Round negotiations in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, on 3 June 2026.