The participants exchanged views on the current state of regional cooperation in Central Asia and discussed prospects for developing cooperation between the IICA and CAREC Institute.
Amb.Javlon Vakhabov, the Managing Director of the IICA, informed the experts about the Institute’s activities, its goals and objectives. He also provided detailed information on current cooperation processes in Central Asia and the interaction between regional states within the "CA+" platform.
Mr.Shallyyev emphasized that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) attaches great importance to developing its partnership with Uzbekistan and implementing innovative projects in the country.
A key step in deepening cooperation was the signing, during the 59th Annual Meeting of the ADB’s Board of Governors in Samarkand, of a new $12 billion programme between Uzbekistan and the ADB. The programme is aimed at developing modern infrastructure, strengthening human capital, and reducing poverty.
Alongside this, CAREC Institute Deputy Director Dr.Li Kouqing highlighted the steady pace of economic development in the country. This is reflected in the growing number of enterprises with Chinese capital, which increased from 2.1 thousand in 2023 to 5.2 thousand in 2026.
Dr.Li Kouqing also placed particular emphasis on systemic reforms in the education sector. It was noted that the growing number of universities offering education in English reflects the priority Uzbekistan attaches to human capital development and the alignment of its education system with international standards.
During the discussion, participants identified promising areas of cooperation between the IICA and CAREC Institute, including joint research aimed at exploring opportunities for the development of renewable energy, green finance, and AI technologies in the region.
At the end of the meeting, both parties expressed their readiness to expand practical cooperation and implement joint projects, including mutual visits and expert discussions within bilateral cooperation and multilateral platforms.
