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HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE FIELD
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Unlocking the Silk Road tourism corridor in CAREC
At the margins of the 59th ADB Annual Meeting held on 5 May, the high-level session on CAREC and the Global Silk Road: Connecting Regions through Tourism, discussed how the CAREC region can transform its Silk Road heritage into a resilient and competitive global tourism corridor. ADB VP Yingming Yang underscored enhanced connectivity including coordinated policies, stronger private sector engagement, and creating a digital, future ready ecosystem. The session, with participants from CAREC member countries, development partners, the academe, and the private sector, highlighted the need for greater regional collaboration to advance sustainable, connected initiatives and translate this potential into practical investments.
At the sideline of the session, ADB and UN Tourism signed a Letter of Intent to pursue regional cooperation on tourism in the CAREC region and beyond. The partnership underscores a shared commitment to leveraging tourism as a driver of economic diversification, job creation, regional cooperation, and community benefit, while promoting environmentally responsible practices and ensuring that development outcomes are inclusive and responsive to local needs.
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Shaping CAREC 2026 with shared vision and action
The CAREC Program kicked off its 2026 planning with a virtual consultation of its National Focal Points (NFPs) on 17 March, translating memorandums of understanding (MOUs) signed at the 24th Ministerial Conference into a concrete roadmap for the year ahead. The proposed action plans generated a productive discussion, signaling strong ownership and a clear path for implementation. CAREC NFPs shared their national perspectives and priority deliverables. The dialogue underscored a powerful consensus: despite a complex global landscape, the need for—and commitment to—regional cooperation has never been stronger. The meeting concluded with a vision for a results-oriented 2026, setting the stage for an impactful 25th Ministerial Conference that will celebrate a quarter-century of connecting people, policies, and projects for shared prosperity.
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Driving the future of smart mobility
The CAREC Smart Mobility Working Group (SMWG) organized its first meeting on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Transport Forum on 21 May at ADB headquarters in Manila. The working group was established to promote efficient mobility and remove bottlenecks along CAREC corridors. The meeting discussed key issues and policy directions for smart mobility solutions including recommendations on policy and capacity development, advisory and analytical work, knowledge development and sharing activities, and an action plan outlining steps to develop smart mobility solutions in CAREC countries.
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Accelerating customs transit agreement
Customs officials of Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Uzbekistan held the 7th Technical Working Group Meeting in the pilot implementation of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Advanced Transit System and Information Exchange (CATS/ICE) on 19–20 May in Tbilisi, Georgia. The discussions took a significant step forward in establishing a regional customs transit system, convening a dedicated legal review session to finalize the Multicountry Framework Agreement (MCFA) among pilot countries. Following the working group meeting, a brief session with the private sector was held to update various stakeholders including banks, insurance companies, and economic operators on the progress of the pilot.
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Reviewing progress for the Caspian Green Energy Corridor
The Caspian Green Energy Corridor project’s Working Group met on the sidelines of the Uzbekistan Energy Week, on 12 May in Tashkent to discuss progress on the Caspian Green Energy Corridor Project, building on the inception report that was presented on the inception workshop in Baku on 4 March. The session brought together deputy ministers of energy and senior officials from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan to review progress on the ongoing feasibility study. Participants assessed early analytical work, including data collection, demand forecasting, and initial scenarios for cross‑border clean electricity trade linking the Caspian region to European power markets. Updates highlighted completion of the inception report, progress in demand and load forecasting through 2060, and the development of alternative scenarios for electricity export and regional exchanges. These discussions reflect the outcomes of the inception workshop including the review of initial findings, validation of key assumptions, strengthening of technical understanding, and agreement on next steps.
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Advancing negotiations for CARTIF
The Chief Negotiators’ Meeting for the CAREC Trade and Investment Facilitation Partnership (CARTIF) Agreement was held virtually on 8 May. The meeting, which builds on the virtual inaugural meeting held on 11 March, focused on reviewing CARTIF negotiation modalities, which set a framework for efficient, inclusive, transparent, and results-oriented negotiations among participating countries, and preparing for the upcoming zero-round negotiations. CARTIF Chief Negotiators and country delegations expressed strong support for the proposed CARTIF negotiation modalities and emphasized their readiness to begin the CARTIF Zero-Round negotiations in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, on 3 June 2026.
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Streamlining cross-border trade through electronic certification
On 21 April, ADB, with the participation of UNESCAP and Korea Trade Network (KTNET) experts, convened an introductory session for the CAREC Pilot Project on Electronic Exchange and Mutual Recognition of Conformity Certificates. The pilot aims to develop a prototype for the electronic exchange of conformity certificates to reduce processing time in selected products traded among member countries. KTNET discussed the pilot's methodology, implementation arrangements, and questionnaire designed to assess the current business processes and institutional readiness of the participating countries. Representatives from customs, standards and conformity agencies from Azerbaijan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan are participating in the pilot project. The pilot is among the priority initiatives under the CAREC Partnership for Trade, Climate and Innovation signed in Baku in November 2024, for which an MOU was signed by ADB, KTNET and CAREC participating countries at the 24th CAREC Ministerial Conference in November 2025.
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Scaling up regional energy cooperation and system integration
On 9–10 April, Sectors Department 1‑Energy Sector Office led the CAREC Energy Transmission and Interconnectivity Workshop in Tashkent, convening government focal points, regulators, and system operators to strengthen regional power cooperation. The workshop advanced initiatives on a regional electricity balancing market, regulatory cooperation, and digitalization, to support regional interconnections, renewable energy integration and system flexibility. It concluded with site visits to the ADB‑supported Central Asia Power System (CAPS) Coordination Dispatch Center, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Center, and the Joint Stock Company (JSC) Regional Electric Power Network (REPN) Smart Meters Data Center, showcasing the practical applications of regional digital infrastructure.
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Promoting rules-based trade and regional integration
On 8–10 April, ADB, in partnership with the World Trade Organization and the Government of Kazakhstan, held a Workshop on Navigating Trade Issues and WTO Transparency Requirements in Astana, hosted by the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The event emphasized the importance of regional cooperation in supporting a rules-based trading system, while showcasing key developments in trade facilitation, digitalization, and regional integration. Participants also explored WTO transparency mechanisms and response to emerging trends in regional trade agreements, including initiatives under the CAREC Program.
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Accelerating climate resilience through innovation and partnership
CAREC Program and ADB-Korea Climate Technology Hub jointly organized the CAREC Technology Forum on 7–8 April in Bishkek. The forum underscored policy priorities for scaling innovative technologies for resilient development across CAREC region. The winners of the K-Hub Challenge and Kyrgyz Republic companies showcased innovative technological solutions in renewable energy, water management, smart agriculture, and resilient infrastructure. Country delegates outlined their country-specific technology needs to meet their international commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Through peer learning, the forum strengthened the shared commitment to accelerate climate resilience and support inclusive, sustainable development across CAREC countries and beyond.
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Strengthening skills development for a green transition
Policymakers, education leaders, and partners from CAREC convened for the Third Annual Meeting of the CAREC Working Group on Skills Development held on 1–3 April in Istanbul. The participants recognized significant achievements reached in 2025 and formally endorsed the Action Plan for 2026. The gathering ratified the Toolkit for TVET and Higher Education: Priority Actions for Green Skills Development and a Just Transition. The meeting focused on discussing and validating regional cooperation proposals, including the digital launch of the Regional Center for Green Agriculture, new academic programs, applied research initiatives, and outreach activities to be implemented throughout 2026. See video highlights.
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Laying the foundation for road cooperation and coordination
The Road Working Group held its inaugural meeting on 11-12 March 2026 in Urumqi. The meeting focused on establishing its foundation, discussing key regional challenges, aligning approaches among member countries and development partners, and securing high-level commitment for follow-up actions. The working group was established under the Transport Sector Coordinating Committee as a regional platform to address key priorities and policy matters in the CAREC road subsector.
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CAREC Transport Strategy 2030 Midterm Review
This review looks at how the transport strategy of the CAREC Program is advancing connectivity and sustainability among member countries. It was designed to reflect global, regional, and national developments that have occurred since its inception, including factors such as climate risks, digital transformation, and shifting geopolitical dynamics. It was undertaken in conjunction with CAREC member countries to ensure that it reflected their objectives and demands for regional transport services and their ability to deliver intended outcomes in each of the transport subsectors.
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Seamless Borders, Shared Growth: Cross-Border Mobility in the Almaty–Bishkek Economic Corridor
The Almaty–Bishkek Economic Corridor is a fast-growing hub for trade, tourism, and transport in Central Asia. This report sets out how modernizing border infrastructure, improving procedures, and implementing risk-based controls can boost efficiency. Plans for the corridor include expanding capacity at key border-crossing points, introducing single window systems, and establishing facilities based on the one-stop principle. These initiatives will cut crossing times, improve supply chain efficiency, and strengthen regional integration and economic opportunities.
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Why Regional Trade Matters More Than Ever for Central Asia
Deeper regional trade integration can help Central Asia build resilience and growth amid global uncertainty. As highlighted in this blog, despite strong overall trade performance, intra-regional trade remains low due to small domestic markets and persistent barriers. The CAREC program plays a key role in addressing these challenges by improving connectivity, harmonizing regulations, and advancing digital trade systems, building on decades of investment. With initiatives such as the CAREC Trade and Investment Facilitation Partnership (CARTIF), the region is moving toward more modern and coordinated frameworks.
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- CAREC Senior Officials' Meeting 2026 | 11-12 June 2026; Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
- 3rd Meeting of the CAREC Water Pillar Working Group | 15-16 July 2026 ; Almaty, Kazakhstan
- CAREC Digital Corridor Project and Digital Strategy Steering Committee Meeting | 21-22 July 2026; Islamabad, Pakistan
- 25th CAREC Ministerial Conference and Business Forum | 29 September-2 October 2026; Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
For details and other upcoming events, visit CAREC events calendar.
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