CAREC Institute Delegation Participates in Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2026
The CAREC Institute delegation, including Director Charymuhammet Shallyyev, Deputy Director Kouqing Li, and Senior Economist Elvira Kurmanalieva, participated in the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2026, held in Hainan Province, the People’s Republic of China, from March 24 to 27. With the theme “Shaping a Shared Future: New Dynamics, New Opportunities, New Cooperation,” the 2026 BFA brought together more than 2,000 delegates from over 60 countries and regions.
On 24 March, Director Charymuhammet Shallyyev served as a panelist at the session titled “Strengthening Cooperation among Regional Organizations to Forge Synergy in Policy Coordination.” Participants explored aligning development plans, coordinating inter-organizational policies and synergizing national strategies to turn shared visions into concrete actions. They also discussed leveraging regional organizations’ expertise and bridging their roles to boost open regional cooperation and integration, and create an enabling environment for the region’s integrated development. In his remarks, Director Shallyyev outlined how the CAREC Institute, acting as a bridge, strengthens regional cooperation through joint research, training programs, and dialogue facilitation. He noted that the Institute leverages research networks and platforms such as the Tianshan Forum to create spaces where member countries can align on shared priorities and lay the groundwork for deeper regional cooperation.
On 25 March, Deputy Director Kouqing Li delivered a guest speech at the session titled “Enhancing Regional Coordination to Promote Financial Stability.” He joined prominent speakers from the international, regional, and national financial sectors for in-depth discussions on key topics, including improving global and regional financial safety nets, strengthening macroeconomic policy coordination among major economies, and addressing unconventional financial risks through enhanced regulatory cooperation and fintech-enabled risk management. During the session, Deputy Director Li elaborated on CAREC’s growth drivers and investment momentum, as well as structural vulnerabilities, including climate risks and underdeveloped financial markets. He called for coordinated policy actions, including developing a shared macro-financial risk monitoring framework, strengthening regional financial arrangements, and activating counter-cyclical tools to build resilience.
On the sidelines of the forum, the Institute delegation also held productive discussions with representatives from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Global SDGs and Leadership Development Center. The parties explored plans for a joint study on digital connectivity and capacity-building activities in Central Asia.
“The BOAO Forum offers an invaluable opportunity to thoughtfully position CAREC within Asia’s broader economic narrative,” Director Charymuhammet Shallyyev stated. Deputy Director Kouqing Li added, “We leave with strengthened partnerships and a shared sense of purpose: to help translate dialogue into lasting cooperation that supports economic and financial stability for the people of Central Asia and beyond.”
The CAREC Institute’s participation at the BFA, from panel discussions to bilateral cooperation talks, reflects its vision of being a leading knowledge center that promotes economic cooperation in the CAREC region for shared and sustainable development, as the Institute continues to act as a bridge for regional cooperation and policy coordination.
（Photo Credits: Elvira Kurmanalieva; Boao Forum for Asia）