Dr. Asif Razzaq Participates in Think Road Forum on Sustainable Development in Uzbekistan

Dr. Asif Razzaq, Senior Research Specialist at the CAREC Institute, attended the Think Road Forum on Sustainable Development held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The forum was organized by the Institute for Advanced International Studies at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy under the World Bank-funded Modernizing Uzbekistan National Innovation System (MUNIS) project. It brought together key regional actors focused on sustainable development and the green transition across Central Asia.

During the forum, Dr. Razzaq presented the recently released Renewable Energy Investment Ecosystem Study. The report proposes more than 15 key indicators to assess the environment for foreign direct investment (FDI) in renewable energy. It also outlines more than 200 elements that shape the investment ecosystem, ranging from legal and institutional frameworks to broader conditions affecting investor confidence and regional attractiveness. The study supports policymakers in identifying strengths, challenges, and future reform needs.

By participating in the forum, Dr. Razzaq contributed to regional knowledge exchange on sustainable development. He highlighted the importance of attracting more renewable energy investments and promoting cooperation among Central Asian countries for low-carbon growth.

In addition to the forum, Dr. Razzaq attended a working meeting with the Investment Promotion Agency of Uzbekistan (IPA) as part of the proposed Investment Promotion Project (IPP). He presented the final project document for IPA’s review. Discussions focused on aligning the IPP with Uzbekistan’s ongoing investment reforms, particularly the development of the Uzbekistan Investment Single Window—an initiative designed to streamline procedures and enhance service delivery for foreign investors.

The visit also helped explore future collaboration with academic and development partners to strengthen research and capacity-building activities in renewable energy investment.