CAREC Institute and Kyrgyz Republic Discuss Collaboration Opportunities

On September 19, 2024, the CAREC Institute (CI) convened a pivotal virtual meeting with Kyrgyz Republic officials to fortify collaboration in research, capacity building, and knowledge management. Chaired by Dr. Ghulam Samad, CI’s Chief of the Research Division, the session welcomed key participants including Ms. Erkinbaeva Sonun, Head of the Grant and Technical Assistance Coordination Division at the Kyrgyz Ministry of Economy and Commerce. The meeting focused on aligning CI’s initiatives with the Kyrgyz Republic’s strategic priorities, both nationally and regionally.

The discussions delved into the Country Needs Assessment to foster synergy between CI’s activities and the Kyrgyz Republic’s developmental objectives. Principal areas of concentration were trade connectivity, climate change adaptation, sustainable energy, and inclusivity, aiming to support the Kyrgyz Republic’s goals in advancing digital skills, promoting sustainable development, and enhancing green mobility.

The participants agreed to intensify their cooperation through various joint initiatives. These initiatives include developing sustainable practices in the mountainous regions critical for the country’s green energy and tourism sectors, finding new uses for electric vehicle batteries to promote green mobility, and devising methods to assess public investment projects.

As the Kyrgyz Republic gears up to chair the CAREC Programme in 2025, the emphasis was on boosting bilateral communication and exploring further collaborative ventures. This meeting highlighted the CAREC Institute’s commitment to providing actionable research and policy recommendations to benefit CAREC member countries.