Representatives from Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program member countries reviewed the progress made in CAREC 2030 Strategy clusters during the 2022-23 period at the annual Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) held in Tbilisi, Georgia, on 13-14 June 2023.
Officials discussed the theme for the 2023 Ministerial Conference and plans for preparing the CAREC Climate Vision, a forward-looking framework outlining the member countries’ strategic objectives and measures to address climate change in the region. The CAREC Climate Vision foresees a region that is resilient to climate risks, committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and is actively engaged in transitioning towards a low-carbon economy.
The meeting also discussed plans for establishment of the CAREC Climate and Sustainability Project Preparatory Fund: a multi-donor trust fund which aims to support CAREC governments in project preparation and readiness in a climate change responsive and sustainable manner.
High-level representatives from CAREC member countries, including Azerbaijan, Georgia, the People’s Republic of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, participated in the SOM. The meeting served as a platform to underscore CAREC’s commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable development.
“The CAREC region has a great opportunity to lead the way in the global transition to a green economy,” said Ms. Xiaohong Yang, Deputy Director General, Central and West Asia Department, at the Asian Development Bank. “Regional cooperation will be essential for the CAREC region to successfully transition to a green economy. The CAREC region can share knowledge and experience, pool resources, and coordinate policies to accelerate the transition to a green economy.”
She also thanked Mr. Genadi Arveladze, Georgia’s deputy minister of economy and sustainable development and CAREC National Focal Point, for hosting CAREC activities in 2023. “Georgia has played an invaluable role in facilitating CAREC and in shaping the deliverables for this year, and we sincerely appreciate your deep commitment to regional cooperation,” she said.
The CAREC Program is a collaborative initiative of countries and development partners in Central Asia, South Caucasus, and South and East Asia to promote economic growth and poverty reduction in Central Asia. CAREC 2030 serves as a long-term strategic framework to connect people, policies, and projects for shared and sustainable development in the region.
