CAREC

On February 27, 2025, Department of Economic Theory of Turkmen State Institute of Finance with the participation of scientific researchers of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) held an online conference. The conference was held at the Turkmen State Institute of Finance on the implementation of the Program for increasing the effectiveness of scientific-educational-production interaction for 2025-2028. In this regard, it was held in accordance with the Plan of meetings with the representatives of the scientific community and business staff of the country with the participation of teachers and students based on the Roadmap of actions to be implemented in 2025. The topic of the conference was devoted to the role of scientific institutions in the development of regional cooperation and integration. A scientific worker of CAREC Institute providing general information about CAREC region, including a presentation on the impact of scientific institutions on the development of regional cooperation, the activities of the CAREC Institute, and cooperation with Turkmenistan. During the meeting, opportunities for cooperation were also discussed.

The Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program is a cooperation of 11 countries, as well as other international organizations, in order to achieve sustainable development and eradicate poverty in the region. The program was established in 2001 with the participation of all participating countries.

The CAREC Institute is an intergovernmental organization whose activities are aimed at promoting economic cooperation in Central Asia and the Silk Road region through development and knowledge sharing. The Institute headquarter is situated in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China (PRC). In 2006, at the 5th CAREC Ministerial Conference, a decision was made to establish the Institute. In 2015, the Institute officially began its work in Urumqi, and in 2017, it received the status of an intergovernmental organization. Turkmenistan signed the Intergovernmental Agreement in 2021. The CAREC Institute is represented and jointly managed by eleven participating countries. These are Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

The CAREC Institute provides learning links in 5 (five) areas to ensure coordination in the development and implementation of policies, programs and projects to promote regional economic cooperation and integration: 

1) Economic and financial stability;

2) Trade, tourism and economic corridors;

3) Infrastructure and economic connectivity;

4) Agriculture and water supplying;

5) Community development.

To achieve these goals, the CAREC Institute carries out the following activities:

• Conducting research and analysis – nowadays, the Institute has published more than 120 research and analysis papers and articles online on its official website. The quarterly macroeconomic review and research and analysis work of the Institute make significant contributions to regional level initiatives.

• Sharing knowledge and experience – timely sharing of reports and results of scientific and analytical work with relevant stakeholders through trainings, webinars, roundtables and thematic dialogues.

• Establishing collaboration and building relationships – enhancing thematic dialogues as a key tool for bringing together regional countries, academic institutions and other stakeholders on emerging issues and ensuring their cooperation in relevant areas.