Deputy Director Kuat Akizhanov Participates in ISEPF Advisory Group Meeting in Colombo
Dr. Kuat Akizhanov, Deputy Director Two of the CAREC Institute, participated in the Advisory Group (AG) Meeting of the Inter-Subregional Economic Partnership Forum (ISEPF), which took place in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 5–6 March 2026. The meeting brought together experts, policymakers and regional organization representatives to lay the groundwork for the first ISEPF, set to be held in June 2026.
Hosted to refine the thematic priorities and agenda for the inaugural forum, the ISEPF is an initiative of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Its core goal is to strengthen cooperation between South Asia and Southeast Asia by creating a platform for policy dialogue, knowledge exchange and collaboration among governments, research institutions and private sector stakeholders. Both regions are among the world’s most dynamic economies, each with a GDP approaching $4 trillion and a combined population of over 2.5 billion, but trade and investment ties between them have not yet reached their full potential. Against this backdrop, the AG Meeting focused on the theme “Resilience through Cooperation,” with discussions centered on three key areas: disaster management and recovery, regional trade and logistics corridors, and sustainable tourism corridors. All these areas are designed to bridge existing gaps and enhance regional economic resilience.
Dr. Akizhanov played an active role in the discussions, bringing forward valuable perspectives from the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program and the CAREC Institute’s own experience in advancing regional cooperation and knowledge-driven policy dialogue. Drawing on the CAREC region’s progress in connectivity, trade facilitation and economic corridor development, he shared practical insights on how regional cooperation frameworks can strengthen resilience, particularly in the face of climate-related disasters, trade and logistics disruptions, and shifting global economic conditions.
The CAREC Institute’s participation underscored its commitment to advancing regional economic cooperation and integration through its core work in research, capacity-building, and knowledge sharing, as well as its mission to support regional cooperation and sustainable development across the CAREC region.