News

CAREC Business Forum 2026 Advances Regional Investment Dialogue and Private Sector Engagement

Around 400 representatives from governments, businesses, development partners, and international organizations gathered in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, for the CAREC Business Forum (BF) 2026, held alongside the 25th CAREC Ministerial Conference. Under the theme “Scaling Up Investment – Driving Infrastructure Transformation,” the forum provided a platform for dialogue on investment opportunities, regional connectivity, and public-private collaboration across […]

CARTIF national experts advance protocol negotiations

National experts from nine CAREC countries met virtually on 8–9 September to advance negotiations on draft protocols under the CAREC Advanced Regional Trade Integration Framework.  On 8 September, the Working Group on Trade in Services Cooperation began the first round of negotiations on draft Protocol IV. Participants discussed uncontested articles and technical matters before considering […]

In Uzbekistan, CAREC Tourism Working Group Advances Regional Tourism Cooperation Agenda

From 9 to 11 September, in Tashkent (Uzbekistan), CAREC member countries, development partners, tourism experts, and private sector representatives convened for the CAREC Tourism Working Group (TWG) Meeting. The gathering 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 […]

Chief Negotiators launched the first round of CARTIF negotiations virtually

On 7 September 2026, the CAREC Trade and Investment Facilitation Partnership (CARTIF) Chief Negotiators and focal points met virtually to launch the first round of negotiations on CARTIF Agreement. The meeting aims to reaffirm participating countries’ strong commitment to advancing regional economic integration through a structured and results-oriented negotiation process.   This online event was focused […]

Women water professionals from Uzbekistan explore climate-resilient water management in PRC

In August, 14 women – water sector professionals from Uzbekistan took part in a study visit to the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China. The visit was facilitated by the Asian Development Bank’s Resident Mission in Uzbekistan, together with the Private Sector and Markets Group, Sector Development Division 3, with support […]

CAREC Members, ADB Advance Preparations for the 25th Ministerial Conference

On 27 August, during online CAREC National Focal Points’ Meeting, co-chaired by Central and West Asia Regional Department Director General Leah Gutierrez, East Asia Regional Department Director General Ehsan Khan, and Director General Dugersuren Davaadash of Mongolia’s Ministry of Economy and Development, CAREC National Focal Points came together to discuss preparations for the 25th CAREC […]

ADB Approves $400 Million Financing Facility to Modernize Borders, Facilitate Trade in CAREC Region

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $400 million regional financing facility to modernize border crossing points, reduce transport and logistics costs, and make the movement of people and goods across the CAREC region faster and more efficient.  The Border Upgrades for Integration, Logistics, and Development (BUILD) Facility will support priority investments in road […]

ADB, Georgia sign $250 million loan for CAREC Corridor 2 Tbilisi Bypass Road Project

On 4 August 2026, the Georgia’s Minister of Finance and Asian Development Bank Governor Lasha Khutsishvili and Georgia Resident Mission Country Director Lesley Bearman Lahm signed a loan agreement for the Tbilisi Bypass Road Project.   The $250 million loan will extend Georgia’s East–West Highway, enhancing regional connectivity and strengthening climate-resilient infrastructure. The upgraded road will improve the […]

CAREC members discuss feasibility of CAREC Digital Corridor

On 29-30 July, in Islamabad, the CAREC Secretariat and SD-DIG spearheaded the regional consultation for the proposed CAREC Digital Corridor. The meeting, with participants from digital ministries, regulatory agencies, and telecom operators, discussed the outcomes of the feasibility study, which identified the regional digital connectivity gaps and presented a comprehensive set of infrastructure and policy […]

3rd CAREC Water Pillar Working Group meeting highlights transboundary water investments, cooperation

CAREC member countries identified potential regional and subregional water investments and agreed next steps to strengthen transboundary water cooperation at the 3rd CAREC Water Pillar Working Group Meeting held in Almaty, Kazakhstan on 15-16 July. The meeting convened 66 representatives from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, regional organizations, and development partners. […]