CAREC Institute Hosts Successful Tianshan Forum on Central Asia Economic Cooperation

The CAREC Institute hosted the Tianshan Forum for Central Asia Economic Cooperation from December 2 to 3, bringing together over 380 participants, including senior government officials, representatives of international organizations, financial institutions, and the private sector, and experts from think tanks and academic institutions. The forum focused on “Unlocking Connectivity and Investment in Central Asia.”

In his welcoming address, CAREC Institute Director Charymuhammets Shallyyev emphasized the forum’s role in strengthening regional cooperation. “The Tianshan Forum will serve as a bridge connecting policymakers, the private sector, development partners, and the academic community to provide solutions to the challenges we face together,” he said. Since beginning operations in Urumqi in 2015, the CAREC Institute has been dedicated to promoting regional economic cooperation and development through research, capacity building, knowledge sharing, and partnerships. Over the past decade, the Institute has published more than 180 research papers, supported more than 20,000 government officials from member countries through more than 150 training programs, and worked with nearly 70 partner organizations.

The opening session featured remarks from senior officials, including Lan Fo’an, Minister of Finance of China; Chen Xiaojiang, Secretary of the CPC Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Regional Committee, China; Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister, Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Pakistan; Ganbat Jigjid Secretary of State, Ministry of Finance, Mongolia; and Yang Yingming, Vice President of the Asian Development Bank. The forum’s program included keynote speeches and expert panel discussions on advancing economic cooperation, enhancing transport and digital connectivity, and developing human capital across the region. As part of the event, the “Investing in Central Asia” Subforum, co-organized with the Export-Import Bank of China, hosted two roundtable discussions focused on improving the business environment and promoting smart, sustainable investment.

During the forum, the CAREC Institute also launched the Central Asia Regional Financial Cooperation Research Center in collaboration with the Finance Department of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. This new initiative further underscores the CAREC Institute’s role as a key knowledge hub, committed to supporting smarter policies, building stronger partnerships, and deepening regional integration in Central Asia.

The forum has received support from many international and national institutions, including the People’s Government of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, the Asian Development Bank, Import and Export Bank of China, ADB-PRC Regional Knowledge Sharing Initiative, Eurasian Fund for Stabilization and Development, IFLYTEK, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, ADB Institute, International Road Transport Union, Global SDGs and Leadership Development Center, Beijing National Accounting Institute, Shanghai National Accounting Institute, and Xiamen National Accounting Institute.