The Tenth CAREC Think Tank Development Forum to Convene in Tashkent, Focusing on Robust, Innovative, and Inclusive Financial Development

The CAREC Institute, in partnership with Westminster International University in Tashkent (WIUT), will host the Tenth CAREC Think Tank Development Forum (CTTDF) in a hybrid format in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on August 20–21, 2026. The event is supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Eurasian Fund for Stability and Development (EFSD), and the PRC Poverty Reduction and Cooperation Fund. Themed “Towards Robust, Innovative, and Inclusive Financial Sector Development in the CAREC Region,” the forum will serve as a platform for strategic policy dialogue and knowledge sharing, aimed at identifying regional financing bottlenecks and supporting coordinated development across the CAREC region.

CAREC member countries are steadily advancing key development priorities, including infrastructure expansion, industrial upgrading, and regional economic connectivity. This progress is driving a sustained increase in the demand for long-term investment financing. However, the region continues to face structural challenges, such as massive long-term financing gaps and underdeveloped capital markets, which constrain the scale of sustainable investment and hinder broader economic growth.

To address these pressing challenges, the forum will conduct in-depth discussions on several key areas. Participants will explore responsible digital finance, expanded financial inclusion, and alternative financing channels. They will also examine the role of domestic institutions and capital markets, build effective financial safety nets, and advance regional financial cooperation to find practical solutions to financing constraints.

The event will bring together government representatives, international organizations, think tanks, academic institutions, and financial sector leaders from across the CAREC region to share insights and strengthen practical cooperation in building a more resilient financial ecosystem.

For those joining online, please access the forum via: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84128978278