CAREC Trade and Digital/ICT Activities
2nd CAREC Digital Trade Forum: Advancing Digital Solutions and Deepening Regional Cooperation for Trade
17 April 2024, Astor Ballroom, St. Regis Hotel
Background
The CAREC Digital Trade Forum launched in November 2022 is a knowledge platform that aims to promote the use of digital solutions and strengthen regional cooperation to enhance supply chain connectivity and expand trade, as part of the broader CAREC Integrated Trade Agenda (CITA) 2030. It serves as a cross-learning network of policy makers, regulators, trade promotion agencies, private sector, development partners, think tanks, and other key stakeholders to share effective policies and practices to harness digital trade. This aligns with CAREC 2030’s aspiration to strengthen CAREC’s role as a catalyst for trade expansion and economic diversification through the integration of information and communication technology (ICT) across CAREC operations, as well as the CAREC Digital Strategy 2030, which seeks to create an interconnected digital ecosystem that will fuel digital transformation and support the seamless flow of data across the region. Digital trade will also be part of climate action for sustainable growth, in support of the recently endorsed CAREC Climate Change Vision.
The Second CAREC Digital Trade Forum will discuss progress made thus far and lessons from pilot projects on digital trade solutions; policy instruments and regional mechanisms for cross-border data transfer; infrastructure investments to expand digital connectivity, including data infrastructure and digital payment systems; and digital public infrastructure.
Target Participants
The Forum will bring together representatives of CAREC member countries from government, business and global leaders, development institutions working in the region on various aspects of trade digitalization and digital ecosystem development.
Event Materials
6th CAREC Regional Trade Group Meeting
18 April 2024, Astor Ballroom, St. Regis Hotel
Background
The 6th Meeting of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Regional Trade Group (RTG) will (i) review the implementation progress of the CAREC Integrated Trade Agenda (CITA) 2030; (ii) discuss the midterm review of CAREC 2030 strategy and mainstreaming of Climate Change actions and operationalizing the CAREC Climate Change Vision in CAREC trade sector work; and (iii) endorse the Rolling Strategic Action Plan 2024-2026, which will be reported to CAREC Ministers through the Senior Officials’ Meeting on 30-31 May 2024 in Astana.
By Invitation Only
Event Materials
2nd CAREC Digital Strategy Steering Committee Meeting
19 April 2024, Hilton Hotel Astana
Background
The 2nd CAREC Digital Strategy Steering Committee (DSSC) meeting will discuss the progress of initiatives under the CAREC Digital Strategy 2030 and deliberate on key priorities and next steps. The digital fair and study tour will showcase technologies and provide insights on investments in technology that drive digital trade and harness digital economy ecosystems in the region.