23rd CAREC Ministerial Conference

Русский

23rd CAREC Ministerial Conference and Related Activities

7–8 November 2024
Astor Hall, 1st Floor, St. Regis Hotel Astana

Pre–Ministerial Conference High-Level Events

as of 6 November 2024

Day 1: Bilateral Meetings and Plenary Sessions (7 November 2024, Thursday)

08:00–10:30 Bilateral Meetings (pre-scheduled)
10:30–12:00 Opening Remarks by
Mr. Yingming Yang,
Vice-President (South, Central and West Asia), ADB

Plenary Session 1: Decarbonizing and Promoting Regional Energy Security in the CAREC Region
Central Asia’s untapped potential for hydropower presents a unique opportunity to accelerate the clean energy transition, improve connectivity, and enhance energy and water security in the region. Transformational regional hydropower projects (e.g., Rogun and Kambarata-1) and new proposals (such as the Caspian Undersea Cable Initiative) are critical to meet the growing energy demand in the CAREC region and beyond. Close cooperation among countries and development partners is critical. This session will discuss the role of regional cooperation in promoting cross-border power trade and reliable green energy projects in the CAREC region.

Moderator: Mr. Yevgeniy Zhukov, Director General, Central and West Asia Division, ADB

Panelists:
Mr. Daler Juma, Minister of Energy and Water Resources, Tajikistan
Mr. Sahib Alakbarov, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Economy, Azerbaijan
Mr. Nurlan Sadykov, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Energy, Kyrgyz Republic
Mr. Hun Kim, Acting Vice President, Investment Solutions, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
Ms. Indu John-Abraham, Head of Office / Operations Manager, Central Asia, World Bank
12:00–13:00 Lunch (Venue: Asakusa and La Riviera Restaurant, Level 1)

Bilateral Meetings (pre-scheduled)
14:00–15:20 Plenary Session 2: Innovative Solutions to Climate Change Challenges and Role of Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (AI) plays a pivotal role in climate mitigation and adaptation measures, leveraging its capability in data analysis, prediction of weather patterns, optimization of resources, and automation of processes. AI-enabled solutions in agriculture, energy, transportation, water resource management, disaster risk management, trade, and public health are critical to enhancing efficiency and reducing emissions. The burgeoning digital startup ecosystem in the region will help advance the development of scalable and adaptable AI-driven solutions to climate change challenges. The session will discuss opportunities for cooperation including through regional framework, cross-border investments, and private sector development.

Moderator: Mr. Kelly Bird, Advisor, East Asia Department, ADB

Panelists:
Mr. Yerlan Nyssanbayev, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Mr. Qichao Song, Assistant Minister, Ministry of Finance, People’s Republic of China
Mr. Sanjar Bolotov, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Economy
and Commerce and CAREC National Focal Point for the Kyrgyz Republic
Ms. Kamola Sabirova, Adviser to Minister of Digital Technology, Uzbekistan
Ms. Katarzyna Wawiernia, Resident Representative, United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Kazakhstan
Ms. Dana Shukirbayeva, Founder of Climate Action Initiative Central Asia NGO and Climate Tech Forest Hero and QALA AI
15:20–
15:30		 Short Break
15:30–17:00 Plenary Session 3: Developing CAREC Corridor 2 and Beyond
In the current context, there is a need to strengthen transport and transit resilience in CAREC countries, including by developing an institutional framework for multimodal development in the region. The session will share pipeline or ongoing projects (e.g., Container Hub in Kazakhstan’s Aktau Port; Corridor 2 Resilience and Modernization Project in Uzbekistan, and modernization projects for TransTurkmenistan and Azerbaijan Railways) that will support the development of CAREC Corridor 2 and other related corridors to maximize the potential for regional cooperation.

Moderator: Mr. Marat Karabayev, Minister of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Panelists:
Mr. Sahib Alakbarov, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Economy, Azerbaijan
Mr. Genadi Arveladze, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development and CAREC National Focal Point for Georgia
Mr. Bekzhan Rysmendeev, Deputy Minister, Minister of Transport and Communications, Kyrgyz Republic
Mr. Babanyyaz Yalakov, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Finance and Economy, Turkmenistan
Mr. Peteris Ustubs, Director, Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, European Commission
Ms. Oksana Sorokina, Director General, SevenR Logistics LLP, Kazakhstan
17:00–17:10 ADBI Book Launch: Unlocking Transport Connectivity in Central Asia and the Caucasus
Mr. Byungsik Jung, Deputy Dean, Senior Capacity Building and Training, ADBI
Ms. Lyaziza Sabyrova, Regional Head, Regional Cooperation and Integration, Central and West Asia Department, ADB
17:10–18:00 Bilateral Meetings (pre-scheduled)
18:00 Welcome Dinner hosted by the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Venue: Winter Garden, St. Regis)

Building a More Integrated and Resilient CAREC Region

Day 2: Ministerial Conference and Minister’s Retreat (8 November 2024, Friday)

Conference Co-Chairs:

Mr. Nurlan Baibazarov,

Deputy Prime Minister

Minister of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Mr. Yingming Yang,

Vice-President (South, Central and West Asia)

Asian Development Bank

Download Agenda

08:55 CAREC Ministerial Conference (MC) 2024 Video Presentation
09:00–09:05 Welcome Address
Mr. Olzhas Bektenov
Prime Minister
Republic of Kazakhstan
09:05–09:10 Keynote Address
Mr. Masatsugu Asakawa
President
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
09:10–09:15 Introductory Remarks
Mr. Nurlan Baibazarov
Deputy Prime Minister
Minister of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstanorld Bank
09:15–09:25 Signing Ceremonies for the CAREC Climate and Sustainability Project Preparatory Fund (CSPPF)
ADB with the People’s Republic of China’s Ministry of Finance
ADB with the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Economy and Finance
09:25–09:45 Group Photo and Coffee Break
Moderator: Mr. Nurlan Baibazarov, Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan
09:45–10:00 Presentation 1: CAREC Climate Change Action Plan and CAREC Session at COP29
Mr. Yevgeniy Zhukov, Director General, Central and West Asia Division, ADB
Mr. Sahib Alakbarov, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Economy, Azerbaijan
10:00–10:10 Presentation 2: CAREC 2030 Midterm Review and Recommendations
Ms. Lyaziza Sabyrova, Regional Head, Regional Cooperation and Integration, Central and West Asia Department, ADB
10:10–12:00 Country Statements
All CAREC Ministers / Head of Delegations
12:00–13:00 Lunch (Venue: Asakusa and La Riviera Restaurant, Level 1)
Moderator: Mr. Yingming Yang, Vice President (South, Central and West Asia), ADB
13:15–13:25 Presentation 3: CAREC Regional Economic Outlook
Mr. Norbert Funke, Director, Caucasus, Central Asia, and Mongolia Regional Capacity Development Center (CCAMTAC), IMF
13:25–14:30 Development Partners Interventions (Sessions 1 and 2) and Reaction from CAREC Ministers (Session 2)
14:30–14:40 Signing Ceremony
(i)  Memorandum of Partnership between ADB and the Governments of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistanon the Caspian Sea Green Energy Corridor Project
(ii) Memorandum of Understanding between ADB and Ministry of Investment, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan
Moderator: Mr. Nurlan Baibazarov, Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan
14:40–14:50 Adoption of Joint Ministerial Statement
14:50–14:55 Statement by the 2025 CAREC Country Chair
Mr. Sanzhar Bolotov, Minister of Economy and Commerce and CAREC National Focal Point for Kyrgyz Republic
14:55–15:00 Closing Remarks
Mr. Nurlan Baibazarov, Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan
15:00–15:30 Coffee Break
15:30–15:35 Setting the scene by Mr. Yingming Yang, Vice-President (South, Central and West Asia), ADB
15:35–17:00 Moderator: Mr. Yevgeniy Zhukov, Director General, Central and West Asia Department, ADB

The Retreat will involve a strategic informal exchange of views between ADB Vice President and CAREC Ministers on issues, challenges, and prospects of the CAREC Program for the next 10 years, including (i) the proposed CAREC flagship initiatives or regional project pipeline development; (ii) mobilization of financing; and (iii) preparations for the 25th year of CAREC Program in 2026.
19:00 Dinner Reception (invitation extended to all MC participants)
ADB–Republic of Kazakhstan 30th Partnership Anniversary
Venue: Astor Hall, St. Regis

Download Presentations

CAREC Climate Change Action Plan 2025-2027 (ENG, RUS, CHN)
CAREC 2030 Strategy: Midterm Review (MTR) (ENG, RUS, CHN)
IMF: Regional Economic Outlook (ENG, RUS, CHN)

Statements

Key Documents

News Releases

Quotes – English

Quotes – Russian

Video

23rd CAREC Ministerial Conference – Building a More Integrated and Resilient CAREC Region 

Almaty-Bishkek Economic Corridor — 10 years of ABEC

Video Reels

Event Photos

Side Events
CAREC Gender and Climate Change Capacity Building Training 05 November 2024
CAREC Gender Climate Awards Ceremony 2024 06 November 2024
CAREC Women’s Business Forum 2024 06 November 2024

For information on last year’s MC | 22nd CAREC Ministerial Conference – 2023