BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 3. The Central Asia
Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program is helping countries
strengthen transport connectivity, facilitate trade and improve
resilience, Asad Aleem, ADB Regional Head for Regional Cooperation
and Integration in the Central and West Asia Region, said in a
video message.


He noted that regional cooperation had become increasingly
important amid growing geopolitical uncertainty and global
fragmentation.


According to Aleem, ADB's regional initiatives, particularly the
CAREC Program, have helped participating countries improve
transport links, modernize border crossing points and develop
economic corridors.


"Stronger regional connectivity has helped keep trade flowing
and essential supplies moving during crises, including the COVID-19
pandemic. CAREC is also helping countries strengthen resilience and
financial preparedness through innovative regional disaster risk
financing solutions," he said.







He emphasized that a shared vision, policy dialogue and
knowledge exchange enable countries to coordinate their planning,
investments and responses to common challenges.


Such cooperation helps countries become more resilient,
adaptable and better prepared for future shocks, he added.


The Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation
(CAREC) Program is a partnership of 11 countries - Afghanistan,
Azerbaijan, the People’s Republic of China, Georgia, Kazakhstan,
the Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan
and Uzbekistan - working with development partners to promote
regional economic growth and poverty reduction. Established in 1997
and guided by the vision of "Good Neighbors, Good Partners, and
Good Prospects," the program is supported by the Asian Development
Bank (ADB), which serves as the CAREC Secretariat. Since 2001,
CAREC has mobilized more than $60 billion in investments, of which
approximately $20 billion has been financed by ADB, primarily in
transport, energy, trade facilitation and economic corridor
development under the CAREC 2030 strategic framework.