CAREC Institute Welcomes High-Level Chinese Delegation for Strategic Collaboration

On September 27, in a significant step towards bolstering regional cooperation, the CAREC Institute was pleased to host an esteemed delegation from the People’s Republic of China at its headquarters in Urumqi. The delegation, under the leadership of Mr. Liao Min, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Finance, included Ms. Li Hongxia, Acting Director General of the International Economic and Financial Cooperation Department; Mr. Lu Jin, CAREC National Focal Point and Deputy Director General; and Mr. Ma Yong, Deputy Director General of the Xinjiang Finance Department.

CI Director Mr. Kabir Jurazoda took the opportunity to highlight the institute’s pivotal contributions to research, capacity building, and knowledge exchange among member countries. He underscored China’s crucial role in these efforts and introduced a strategic revitalization plan aimed at further enhancing the institute’s impact.

Vice Minister Liao Min commended the institute for its achievements and underscored the collaborative spirit of the concept note drafted recently, which aims to refine governance, focus areas, and flagship initiatives targeting regional policymakers. He advocated for deeper engagement with member states to fine-tune this strategy based on collective feedback.

Addressing strategic priorities, the delegation encouraged CI to intensify its focus on critical areas such as trade, climate change, energy, and water resource management, aligning with the strategic plan set for 2026-2030. There was also strong support for transitioning to a merit-based management selection process to foster long-term institutional stability and effective resource mobilization.

The visit included discussions on operational enhancements, such as the development of annual flagship reports and the expansion of high-level forums. These are intended to elevate CI’s profile and influence on policy development across the region. Emphasizing the importance of comprehensive partnerships, the delegation highlighted ongoing collaborations with multilateral institutions like the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, and stressed the need for strengthened links with regional academic and research entities.

Further deliberations focused on talent acquisition and the establishment of training programs that incorporate global best practices, reflecting China’s extensive development experience.

Concluding the visit, both parties reaffirmed their commitment to sustained collaboration and strategic engagement, aligning their efforts with global sustainable growth initiatives.