CAREC Institute Enhances Collaboration with ADB and Pakistan Institutions at Annual Research Conference
On the morning of 30 May, during the 5th CAREC Institute Annual Research Conference in Islamabad, the CAREC Institute (CI) team, led by Director Mr. Charymuhammet Shallyyev, met with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Transport Team. The ADB CAREC Secretariat joined the meeting remotely. The discussion focused on strengthening CI’s role in the CAREC transport sector. Both sides explored ways to collaborate in capacity building, policy recommendations, and regional connectivity.
The ADB team shared their priorities and showed strong interest in CI’s contributions, especially in sustainable transport development. This includes smart mobility, transport planning, and regional integration. They also acknowledged CI’s growing influence in connecting member countries and promoting sustainable development. This was especially evident during this year’s conference, which showcased CI’s expanding academic network.
In response, CI shared updates on its current work, including the Containerization Project and its expanded role in leading the CAREC Corridor Performance Measurement and Monitoring (CPMM) project. These efforts aim to strengthen regional transport connectivity. The ADB team welcomed CI’s contributions and invited the Institute to participate in future transport working groups and events. They also encouraged CI to further develop its in-house transport expertise and deliver focused presentations at upcoming meetings. In addition, the ADB proposed a visit to CI’s headquarters for a deep-dive workshop to identify concrete actions for closer collaboration.
In the afternoon, CI held bilateral meetings with several academic institutions, including the ECO Science Foundation, the University of Sargodha, and the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics. These meetings focused on opportunities for stronger cooperation in areas such as regional trade, digital economy, climate change, and labor migration, as well as institutional development and talent exchange.
As the knowledge arm of the CAREC Program, CI plays an important role in supporting regional integration through research, capacity building, and sharing of knowledge. Its partner institutions in Pakistan share the goal of advancing sustainable development and policy innovation. Together, CI and its partners plan to expand collaboration through joint research, training, and knowledge exchange. They aim to share their findings with policymakers and help shape effective policies for the region.