CAREC Institute’s 6th Advisory Council Meeting Establishes Strategic Pathways for Regional Development

The CAREC Institute (CI) convened its 6th Advisory Council meeting on 26 August 2024, bringing together the Institute’s leadership, Advisory Council members, and key stakeholders to set strategic directions and evaluate ongoing initiatives. This meeting was characterized by in-depth discussions, insightful presentations, and interactive feedback sessions aimed at enhancing the Institute’s regional development impact.

The session opened with remarks from Mr. Kabir Jurazoda, Director of the CAREC Institute, and Dr. Lyaziza Sabyrova, Regional Head of Cooperation and Integration at the Asian Development Bank (ADB), who extended a warm welcome and provided a comprehensive progress update since the previous Advisory Council meeting. Mr. Jurazoda underscored the successful implementation of strategies that have significantly improved the Institute’s operational effectiveness and strategic clarity.

The first session featured a presentation by Mr. Craig Steffensen, ADB CAREC consultant, who shared preliminary findings from the CAREC Strategy 2030 Mid-Term Review. He highlighted notable advancements in regional connectivity, trade facilitation, and economic diversification while addressing the challenges of post-pandemic recovery and climate change. His presentation outlined six critical recommendations advocating for a climate-smart development approach and stronger multilateral cooperation.

In the pivotal second session, Mr. Jurazoda introduced the CI’s Revitalization Plan, developed in collaboration with ADB and the Ministry of Finance of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). This strategic framework aims to ensure financial sustainability and align initiatives more closely with regional needs, with an emphasis on impactful activities, strategic partnerships, and maintaining high-quality outputs.

Dr. Kuat Akizhanov, Deputy Director Two at the CAREC Institute, led the third session, which focused on operational priorities for 2025-2026. He proposed a streamlined approach to managing multiple priorities with limited resources and emphasized refining the Institute’s thematic focus to enhance the relevance and impact of its activities.

Throughout the day, Advisory Council members and key stakeholders engaged actively in each session, offering valuable comments and recommendations. Their insights were crucial in aligning the CAREC Strategy 2030 Mid-Term Review with CI’s developmental and strategic objectives, revitalization plans, and operational priorities for the next two years. A notable moment was the virtual intervention by Mr. Zhan Shu from the PRC Ministry of Finance, who reaffirmed the ministry’s unwavering support for CI’s revitalization efforts, emphasizing a sustained commitment to the Institute’s strategic advancement.

In the afternoon, Dr. Sabyrova skillfully moderated the Chai Talk brainstorming session, fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas among Advisory Council members. Their critical feedback and strategic suggestions played a key role in refining CI’s strategic direction. The discussions highlighted CI’s dedication to regional cooperation and identified crucial strategic priorities, including climate change mitigation, energy solutions, and corridor performance measurement and monitoring. Additionally, the discussions addressed optimizing the use of Advisory Council members’ expertise, improving management structures, recruiting top talent, financial sustainability, and implementing operational enhancements to boost efficiency and effectiveness.

Mr. Jurazoda expressed his gratitude, stating, “The insights shared today are foundational for the CAREC Institute, offering invaluable guidance from our Advisory Council members and key stakeholders that will be instrumental in shaping our strategic direction. We are committed to enhancing our operational capabilities, deepening our research, and reinforcing our role as a catalyst for regional cooperation and integration.”

In conclusion, Dr. Jingjing Huang, Deputy Director One at the CAREC Institute, expressed deep gratitude to all Advisory Council members, the ADB, and the PRC Ministry of Finance for their engaged participation and invaluable contributions. These inputs are set to substantially shape the Institute’s strategic initiatives, facilitating sustained advancement in regional development and cooperation. The Advisory Council Meeting continues to be an essential forum for the exchange of innovative ideas and the progression of the Institute’s knowledge-driven agenda.