CAREC Institute Hosts CPMM Policy Dialogue to Advance Regional Connectivity
On June 23, 2026, the CAREC Institute (CI) held an online policy dialogue titled Insights from the 2024 CAREC Corridor Performance Measurement and Monitoring (CPMM). Bringing together policymakers, experts and stakeholders across the CAREC region, the event drew on key results of the 2024 CPMM data analysis to examine recent progress, prevailing constraints and forward-looking strategies, as well as identify actionable measures to boost regional connectivity and economic growth.
The dialogue, opened by Mr. Charymuhammet Shallyyev, CAREC Institute Director, and Dr. Roman Mogilevskii, Senior Regional Cooperation Economist at the Asian Development Bank (ADB), underscored the vital role of CAREC corridors in driving economic growth and regional integration, especially for landlocked countries.
The event featured thematic presentations from key speakers, including Dr. Kuat Akizhanov, Deputy Director Two from the CAREC Institute, who presented an overview of the 2024 CPMM findings and their impact. Dr. Roman Mogilevskii elaborated on regional coordination priorities for integrated connectivity. Andy Sze, a logistics practitioner from Fastraxx Group, illustrated the CPMM data collection methodology, identified prevailing cross-border trade bottlenecks, and shared practical field-based solutions. Rashad Najafli from Azerbaijan’s Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication analyzed the development outlook of the Middle Corridor.
Throughout thematic deliberations, participants acknowledged that CPMM, a long-term empirical research mechanism jointly implemented by the CAREC Institute and ADB, serves as a key data tool for identifying border and transport bottlenecks and informing evidence-based connectivity policy-making. They discussed prevalent corridor-wide challenges, including insufficient regional policy coordination and inefficient customs clearance, and proposed aligning cross-border regulatory standards and streamlining clearance procedures to tackle logistical barriers. As a diversified alternative to traditional northern Eurasian transit routes, the Middle Corridor faces the same set of challenges: fragmented cross-border infrastructure planning, insufficient regional digital data-sharing frameworks, and inadequate cross-border joint investment. Participants underscored the need for targeted strategic planning to unlock the Middle Corridor’s development potential.
Moving forward, the CAREC Institute remains dedicated to fostering knowledge exchange and collaboration among member countries and partners, aiming for enhanced connectivity, economic growth, and regional integration.