Regional Cooperation and Integration in Central Asia under CAREC: The Road to Stability and Prosperity

Background

Central Asia lies at the cross-roads of the Eurasian continent. Long-term stability and prosperity depend on how quickly and how effectively Central Asian economies will integrate with each other, and with the rest of the world. Given the landlocked status of the region and the huge distances from the nearest ports, improved transport, trade, and energy linkages will be critical if Central Asia is to connect with its neighbors and beyond.

This seminar on 4 March 2008 will examine the challenges and opportunities of regional cooperation in greater Central Asia, and provide an update on the most recent developments under the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program in the key sectors of transport, trade, and energy. The seminar will bring together senior representatives from the eight CAREC participating countries (Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, People's Republic of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan) and partner multilateral institutions, allowing interested parties in Japan to better understand the CAREC Program and discuss their interests and concerns with senior Central Asian officials.

The CAREC Program is a unique instrument for the countries of the region to work together with each other and partner multilateral institutions to plan, implement, and finance in a coherent manner the investments, regulatory institutions, and policy actions needed to support an effective integration process.