CAREC Institute Partners with DEC40 to Advance Regional Digital Transformation

The CAREC Institute (CI) and the Global Digital Economy Cities Alliance (DEC40) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Urumqi on 15 September to strengthen digital cooperation across the CAREC region.

CI Director Charymuhammet Shallyyev and DEC40 Secretary-General You Jing signed the MoU, establishing a formal framework for effective collaboration between the two organizations. CI Deputy Directors Dr. Li Kouqing and Dr. Kuat Akizhanov, division chiefs, and DEC40 representatives also attended the ceremony, followed by in-depth discussions on areas of mutual interest.

Under the MoU partnership, CI and DEC40 will work on joint research, capacity building and knowledge sharing on digital development, AI applications, and industrial collaboration. The framework aims to expand institutional networks, share technical expertise and support sustainable regional development.

“Digitalization is central to the CAREC 2030 strategy and offers member countries a pathway to overcome geographic constraints,” Shallyyev said. “As cities emerge as vital laboratories for regional innovation, this partnership will link them directly to global best practices and international networks.”

You Jing said that DEC40 prioritizes Central Asia in its global engagement strategy, and that the MoU will serve as a foundation for deeper regional digital cooperation that benefits CAREC member countries.

The MoU is part of CI’s ongoing efforts in building productive partnerships to promote digital transformation and supports the CAREC program’s objectives on regional connectivity and economic resilience. Both sides will work to implement the MoU for tangible outcomes.