Strengthening Regional Collaboration at the 8th CAREC Think Tank Development Forum

At the recent 8th CAREC Think Tank Development Forum, several dialogues took place between Mr. Kabir Jurazoda, Director of the CAREC Institute, and delegations from think tanks representing Turkmenistan and Tajikistan. The parties explored ways to enhance the involvement of think tanks from these countries in the CAREC Institute’s knowledge formation and dissemination efforts, with the goal of bolstering regional economic integration.

During the discussions, both delegations expressed keen interest in deepening their engagement with the CAREC Institute. They sought opportunities to leverage CAREC’s resources to better support their national policies and contribute to regional economic strategies.

Mr. Kabir Jurazoda provided insights into the CAREC Institute’s various funding opportunities designed to foster collaborative research. He highlighted the CTTN Research Grant Program, which offers institutional support to national think tanks for joint research projects with regional counterparts. Additionally, the CAREC Institute Visiting Fellowship Program was emphasized, which enables individual researchers to visit the Institute’s office in Urumqi, PRC, and collaborate with CAREC Institute’s staff on research initiatives.

The Turkmenistan delegation highlighted the urgent need for country-specific events focusing on critical issues such as water management, financing, and infrastructure. They advocated for discussions centered on agriculture and the transition to green energy, emphasizing the value of involving national policymakers and experts in these dialogues.

Meanwhile, the Tajikistan delegation underscored the significance of organizing events within CAREC member countries to facilitate broader participation from national experts and enhance the dissemination of CAREC knowledge. In this regard, they extended an invitation to the CAREC Institute to host the next CAREC Think Tank Development Forum and Research Conference in the Republic of Tajikistan.

Both delegations commended the CAREC Institute’s efforts in knowledge sharing and acknowledged the recent increasing presence of CAREC Institute’s news in English and Russian on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. They recognized these efforts as instrumental in engaging a wider audience of national experts from Central Asia and enhancing the analytical impact of the CAREC Institute’s work.

The forum underscored the collaborative spirit and commitment of the CAREC Institute and its regional partners to advance shared objectives and foster greater integration across Central Asia.