Islamabad (TDI): The 5th Annual Research Conference of Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) is happening in Islamabad, on May 29-30, 2025.
Under the theme “Promoting Trade and Trade Facilitation,” this year’s conference has brought together prominent regional and international stakeholders from CAREC’s member countries. Pakistan’s Federal Minister and Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission, Ahsan Iqbal, graced the conference as the Chief Guest.
The opening remarks were delivered by Director CAREC Institute Charymuhammet Shallyyev, Syed Shakeel Shah from the Prime Minister’s Office, CEO of Pakistan Single Window Syed Aftab Haider, and Asian Development Bank (ADB) RM Country Director Emma Fan.
This was followed by a keynote address of Minister Ahsan Iqbal. This year’s conference includes three thematic sessions, panel discussions, and comprehensive opening and closing sessions.
Panel discussions of Day 1 include:
- Port Connectivity and Trade Facilitation
- Energy Investment Eco-System
- Connecting South Asia to Central Asia under the TIR System
- Digital and Transport Connectivity in the CAREC region
As a knowledge-sharing event, this conference offers a platform for exchange of ideas, research, and initiatives that foster connectivity and collaboration across the CAREC region.
This two-day conference is set to focus on “promoting green and resilient infrastructure, facilitating trade and transit between South Asia and Central Asia, advancing data- and research-driven policy solutions and strengthening institutional collaboration.”
CAREC’s member countries include the five Central Asian countries, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Mongolia, Georgia, and China.
In addition to these country partners, CAREC includes development partners too “working together to promote development through cooperation, leading to accelerated economic growth and poverty reduction. It is guided by the overarching vision of Good Neighbors, Good Partners, and Good Prospects.”
For this year’s conference, partners include Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), Pakistan Single Window (PSW), University of Sargodha, Allama Iqbal Open University, International Road Transport Union (IRU), Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), Manzil Pakistan, Development Alternatives, Inc. (DAI), Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), Pakistan International Freight Forwarders Association (PIFFA), and the ECO Science Foundation (ECOSF).
After organizing first three virtual conferences in 2021, 2022, and 2023, CAREC hosted the first in-person event last year in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
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