The Second Tianshan Forum for Central Asia Economic Cooperation — Strengthening Resilient Connectivity and Quality Investment in Central Asia. 2–3 November 2026, Almaty, Kazakhstan.
From Priorities to Action: Strengthening Resilient Connectivity and Quality Investment in Central Asia
The Tianshan Forum is a high-level annual dialogue platform for Central Asia, organized by the CAREC Institute in partnership with host-country governments and development partners. Following the inaugural Forum, the Second Tianshan Forum will be held on 2–3 November 2026 in Almaty, Kazakhstan, focusing on mobilizing investment, strengthening connectivity, and advancing economic integration and shared prosperity across the region amid a rapidly changing global landscape.
The Forum is supported by a diverse network of national, regional, and international partners.
Four pillars define the agenda:
- ✓Resilient Corridors and Regional Integration — Strengthen the reliability of rail, road, and intermodal networks—including the Middle Corridor—while tackling customs, digitalization, and standards gaps that raise trade costs.
- ✓Quality Investment and Industrial Transformation — Mobilize public and private capital for bankable cross-border projects in transport, energy, digital infrastructure, and industry, building on nearly USD 60 billion the region has mobilized in connectivity over the past 25 years.
- ✓Digital and AI Connectivity — Bridge the digital divide, advance paperless trade and data governance, and harness responsible AI to turn landlocked economies into land-linked partners.
- ✓Eco-Agriculture and Local Cooperation — Strengthen local governments and people-to-people ties through sustainable agriculture, desertification control, and resilient rural livelihoods.
Forum Overview
Agenda
Registration
RegistrationGuests to Be Seated
VIP Group Photo
Opening Plenary
Moderator
Li Kouqing, Deputy Director One, CAREC Institute
Welcome Remarks
Charymuhammet Shallyyev, Director, CAREC Institute
Olzhas Smagulov, Deputy Akim of Almaty, Kazakhstan
Opening Remarks
Serik Zhumangarin, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy, Kazakhstan
Lan Fo’an, Minister of Finance, PRC
Qaiser Ahmed Shaikh, Minister, Ministry of Investment, Pakistan
Yang Yingming, Vice-President (South, Central and West Asia), Asian Development Bank
Keynote Speeches
Moderator
Charymuhammet Shallyyev, Director, CAREC Institute
Speakers
Zou Jiayi, President and Chair of the Board of Directors, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
Zhang Yingchun, Executive Vice Governor of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, PRC
Wang Chunying, President, The Export-Import Bank of China
Coffee Break
Session 1 · Advancing CAREC Economic Cooperation and Integration
Opportunities and Challenges in a Changing Development Landscape
Economic CooperationHigh-Level Dialogue and Panel Discussion
Moderator
Li Kouqing, Deputy Director One, CAREC Institute
A High-Level Dialogue with Renowned Experts (Recorded Video)
Jeffrey D. Sachs, Director, Center for Sustainable Development, Columbia University
Bai Chong-En, Dean, School of Economics and Management, Tsinghua University, PRC
Panelists
Assan Darbayev, Deputy Minister, Ministry of National Economy and CAREC National Focal Point, Kazakhstan
Li Wenhua, Deputy Director, (CMIM, Strategy and Coordination), ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office
Evgeny Vinokurov, Chief Economist, Eurasian Development Bank
Holger Floerkemeier, Director of CCAMTAC, International Monetary Fund
Chen Chen, Senior Advisor, Sectors Department 1, Head, Transport Sector Cluster, Asian Development Bank
Open Q&A
Economic CooperationLunch Break
Investing in Central Asia Subforum
Enhancing Connectivity for New Industrial Breakthrough · Format: Opening and Keynote Session and Panel Discussion
Investing in Central AsiaOpening Addresses
Moderator
Iaroslav Mandron, Managing Director, Eurasian Fund for Stabilization and Development
Opening Remarks
Zou Jiayi, President and Chair of the Board of Directors, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
Dauren Kengbeil, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Finance of Kazakhstan
Wang Chunying, President, The Export-Import Bank of China
Keynote Speeches
Speakers
Qaiser Ahmed Shaikh, Minister, Ministry of Investment, Pakistan
Khurram Teshabaev, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade, Uzbekistan
Liang Dongqing, President, China International Capital Corporation (International) Limited
Presentation of Key Cooperation Outcomes and Signing Ceremony
Moderator
Han Xiaoping, Chief Representative, Uzbekistan Representative Office, The Export-Import Bank of China
Launch of the CAREC Institute Center for Transport and Logistics
Signing of Cooperation Agreements
Signing CeremonyCoffee Break
Panel Discussion · Mobilizing Diversified Investment and Financing for CAREC Connectivity
Moderator
Asad Aleem, Regional Head, Regional Cooperation and Integration, Central and West Asia Department, ADB
Panelists
Safarali Qurbonzoda, Deputy Chairman of the State Committee on Investments and State Property Management of the Republic of Tajikistan
Chen Zhuo, General Manager, China-Eurasia Economic Cooperation Fund
Konstantin Limitovskiy, Chief Investment Officer, Public Sector (Region 2) & Project, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
Roman Serov, Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer, New Development Bank
Wang Zhongjing, Chief Executive Officer, Multilateral Cooperation Center for Development Finance
Muratbek Makhanov, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of the “Atameken” National Chamber of Entrepreneurs, Kazakhstan
Open Discussion
Smart InvestmentCoffee Break
Local Government Cooperation Subforum · Ecology for Shared Prosperity
Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Livelihoods, and Local Cooperation · Format: Opening and Keynote Session and Roundtable Discussion
Local Government CooperationOpening Addresses
Moderator
Ma Yong, Secretary of the Leading CPC Members Group, Department of Finance, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, PRC
Opening Remarks
Zhang Yingchun, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Regional Committee, Executive Vice Governor of Xinjiang People’s Government
Yang Yingming, Vice-President (South, Central and West Asia), Asian Development Bank
Keynote Speech
Speakers
Nematullo Khikmatullozoda, Assistant to the President of Tajikistan on Economic Issues, Executive Office of the President, Tajikistan
Ma Haitao, President, Central University of Finance and Economics
Shadman Namazov, Academician, Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Zhu Fangwei, President, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law
Dugersuren Davaadash, Director General of Trade and Economic Cooperation Policy Department, Ministry of Economy and Development, Mongolia
Presentation of Key Cooperation Outcomes and Signing Ceremony
Moderator
Ma Yong, Secretary of the Leading CPC Members Group, Department of Finance, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, PRC
This segment features a showcase of practical cooperation outcomes of this sub-forum. Details are arranged as follows:
Appointment of Experts: At the 2025 Tianshan Forum, the Department of Finance of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and the CAREC Institute jointly established the Central Asia Regional Financial Cooperation Research Center. To continuously strengthen the think tank capacity of the Research Center and build a solid talent pool for cross-border technical exchanges, experts will be appointed for the Research Center and presented with appointment letters on-site during this sub-forum. Relevant domestic and international specialists will be enrolled into the expert database.
Signing of Cooperation Projects: A centralized signing ceremony for cross-border cooperation projects will be held to advance implementation of cooperation in agricultural technology export, trade of special agricultural products, ecological industry development and other areas. A total of 10 cooperation agreements between Chinese and foreign enterprises and institutions have been finalized for this forum.
Signing CeremonyCoffee Break
Roundtable Discussion
Moderator
Asferachew Abate Abebe, Senior Environmental Specialist, Planet Department, World Bank’s Europe and Central Asia Region
Discussants
Nuralkhan Kusherov, Akim of Turkestan Region, Turkestan City, Republic of Kazakhstan
Lei Jiaqiang, Researcher and Doctoral Supervisor, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Wang Sangui, Professor, School of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, Director of China Anti-Poverty Research Institute, Renmin University of China
Jaloliddin Usmanov, Director of the Center for Sustainable Development of the Water Sector under the Ministry of Water Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Liu Boying, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, PRC
Open Discussion
Roundtable DiscussionWelcome Dinner
Hosted by the Ministry of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan · By Invitation Only
Guests to Be Seated
Session 2 · Investing in Technological Advancement, AI, and Digital Connectivity
Digital ConnectivityKeynote Session
Moderator
Kuat Akizhanov, Deputy Director Two, CAREC Institute
Keynote Speakers
Samad Bashirli, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Economy, Azerbaijan
Khurshed Mirzo, Director of the Agency for Innovation and Digital Technologies under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan
Bambang Brodjonegoro, Dean and Chief Executive Officer, Asian Development Bank Institute
Nurali Irzaev, Deputy Secretary-General, China-Central Asia Format Secretariat
Ainur Yussupova, Chairperson of the Committee of Public Services, Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, Kazakhstan
Zheng Kai, Level II Bureau Rank Official, Department of International Cooperation (Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Office), Ministry of Industry and Information Technology
Duan Dawei, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, iFLYTEK
Johnny Huang, Director, Global SDGs and Leadership Development Center
Coffee Break
Panel Discussion
Moderator
Ayumi Konishi, Senior Advisor to the Chief Executive Officer, Multilateral Cooperation Center for Development Finance
Panelists
Abdulla Khashimov, Advisor of the Minister of Investments, Industry and Trade, Uzbekistan
Georgia Iordanescu, Chief, Sustainable and Just Energy Transition, Division of Energy and Climate Action, United Nations Industrial Organization
Vepa Gurbanov, Director, Department for Development of Digital Technologies and Coordination of International Technical Assistance, Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan
Zhang Heming, General Manager of International Business, Zhongguancun Smart City
Shahin Sadigov, Chairman of the Board, Economic Scientific Research Institute, Ministry of Economy, Azerbaijan
Najy Benhassine, Division Director, Central Asia Country Unit, World Bank
Open Discussion
Digital ConnectivityClosing Session · Reflections and Summary of the Forum
Speaker
Li Kouqing, Deputy Director One, CAREC Institute
Lunch
Speakers
Information Note
Venue & Accommodation
Rixos Almaty — conference hotel, Almaty, Kazakhstan.
The CAREC Institute covers room charges for eligible participants staying at the conference hotel, in accordance with its applicable rules and arrangements.
Room availability is limited: participants are kindly requested to register online. If the conference hotel is unavailable, participants are notified at the earliest opportunity and the CI assists in identifying nearby hotels offering negotiated corporate rates.
Check-in, Check-out & Personal Expenses
Check-in from 14:00 · Check-out by 13:00
An additional one-hour allowance for early check-in and late check-out applies, subject to room availability. Check-in before 14:00 or check-out after 13:00 may incur charges equivalent to a half-day or full-day room rate.
Incidental and personal expenses are charged to the participant’s account and are not reimbursed by the CI:
- Accommodation of extra accompanying guests
- Telephone calls and laundry services
- Mini-bar, beverages, room service and snacks
- Other personal expenses
Registration & Badges
Meeting kits, Forum materials and ID badges are distributed at the Registration Desk on 2 November 2026.
Participants are requested to wear their ID badges at all Forum sessions, official meals and other Forum-related functions.
Meals
Breakfast 06:30–10:30 · Brasserie Restaurant, ground floor — complimentary for participants staying at Rixos Almaty.
Buffet lunch
2 November: 12:40–13:30
3 November: 12:00–13:00
Lunch is served in two dining areas on the ground floor: the Brasserie Restaurant and the Lotus Restaurant. Forum ID badges must be presented when entering designated dining areas.
Language & Daily Subsistence Allowance
Simultaneous interpretation in English, Russian and Chinese is provided throughout the Forum.
A daily subsistence allowance (DSA) is provided to eligible participants in accordance with the CI’s applicable travel rules and regulations. Payment and collection arrangements will be communicated in due course.
Visa & Travel Documents
Participants are responsible for ensuring that passports and travel documents meet the entry requirements of the Republic of Kazakhstan. For visa applications, passports generally must remain valid for at least six months and contain at least two blank pages.
Participants requiring a visa should obtain it before departure and confirm the latest requirements with the nearest embassy or consulate of Kazakhstan.
Where required, the Ministry of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan may provide supporting documentation. Please contact your CI focal point at the earliest opportunity.
Arrival & Airport Transfers
Participants should follow standard immigration and customs procedures, including any required arrival or customs declaration forms, and comply with Kazakhstan’s regulations on currency, medicines and restricted goods.
Participants for whom the CI is arranging airport transfers will receive the relevant details from their CI focal points. Those without transfer confirmation are kindly requested to make their own transportation arrangements between the airport and the hotel.
Safety, Insurance & Dress Code
Participants are strongly encouraged to obtain travel, medical and accident insurance valid in Kazakhstan for the entire stay. The CI does not cover medical treatment, hospitalization, evacuation or personal liability costs beyond any emergency assistance available at the venue.
- Keep passports, valuables and personal belongings secure at all times
- Follow the instructions of Forum staff, volunteers and security personnel
- Familiarise yourself with emergency exits and evacuation routes
Dress code: business attire, taking into account the season and weather in Almaty.
Weather, Electricity & Connectivity
Weather: late-autumn conditions, averaging around −1 °C at night and 8 °C during the day; rain, sleet or snow are possible. Bring a winter coat, sweater or fleece, gloves, hat, scarf and warm non-slip footwear. Hotels and venues are heated.
Electricity: 220 V, 50 Hz; Type C and Type F sockets. Bring a universal adaptor and, for 110–120 V devices, a voltage converter.
Wi-Fi: complimentary in Rixos Almaty guest rooms and public areas. Access details for the Forum meeting rooms are available at the Registration Desk.
Good to Know
Time zone: Almaty Time (UTC+5) — please adjust your schedule when travelling.
Currency: Kazakhstani tenge (KZT). Major credit cards are widely accepted in hotels and restaurants; carrying some cash is advisable.
Emergency services: 112 (general) · 103 (ambulance) · 101 (fire). A help desk and first-aid point are available at the venue throughout the Forum.
Travel Arrangements
Visa and Travel Documents
International participants are responsible for ensuring that their passports and other travel documents meet the entry requirements of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Participants who require a visa should obtain the appropriate visa before departure and are advised to confirm the latest requirements with the nearest embassy or consulate of the Republic of Kazakhstan in their country of residence. For visa application, passports generally must remain valid for at least six months beyond the expiry date and contain at least two blank pages.
Visa Assistance
Where required, the Ministry of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as the host country counterpart, may provide supporting documentation to facilitate the visa application process.
Participants requiring such documentation should contact their CI focal point at the earliest opportunity.
Arrival and Customs
Upon arrival, participants should follow standard immigration and customs procedures, including completing any required arrival or customs declaration forms. Participants are responsible for complying with Kazakhstan’s regulations regarding currency, medicines, and prohibited or restricted goods.
Airport Transfers
Participants for whom the CI is arranging airport transfers will receive the relevant details from their CI focal points in due course. Participants who do not receive confirmation of an airport transfer are kindly requested to make their own transportation arrangements between the airport and the hotel.
Accommodation
Room Charges
The CI will cover the room charges of eligible participants staying at the conference hotel, Rixos Almaty, in accordance with the CI’s applicable rules and arrangements.
Room Availability and Requests
As room availability at the Rixos Almaty is limited, participants are kindly requested to register online. If accommodation at the conference hotel is unavailable, participants will be notified at the earliest opportunity. The CI will also assist in identifying nearby alternative hotels offering negotiated corporate rates.
Check-in and Check-out
Check-in from 14:00 onwards; check-out by 13:00.
For Forum participants staying at the Rixos Almaty, the hotel has kindly agreed to provide an additional one-hour allowance for both early check-in and late check-out, subject to room availability and the participant’s travel schedule.
Check-in before 14:00 or check-out after 13:00 will be subject to the hotel’s availability and applicable policies. Additional charges equivalent to a half-day or a full-day room rate may apply.
Personal Expenses
All incidental and personal expenses will be charged directly to the participant’s account and will not be reimbursed by the CI. These expenses include, but are not limited to:
- Accommodation of extra accompanying guests
- Telephone calls
- Laundry services
- Mini-bar and beverages
- Room service
- Snacks
- Other personal expenses
Registration, Meals and Services
Registration Materials and Badges
Meeting kits, Forum materials, and ID badges will be distributed at the Registration Desk on 2 November 2026. Participants are kindly requested to wear their ID badges at all Forum sessions, official meals, and other Forum-related functions.
Breakfast
Complimentary breakfast will be provided to participants staying at Rixos Almaty.
Brasserie Restaurant, ground floor
06:30–10:30
Buffet Lunch
To accommodate the large number of participants, buffet lunch will be served in two dining areas: the Brasserie Restaurant and the Lotus Restaurant, both located on the ground floor.
2 November 2026: 12:40–13:30
3 November 2026: 12:00–13:00
Participants must present their Forum ID badges when entering designated dining areas.
Language and Interpretation
Simultaneous interpretation in English, Russian, and Chinese will be provided throughout the Forum.
Daily Subsistence Allowance
The CI will provide a daily subsistence allowance (DSA) to eligible participants in accordance with the CI’s applicable travel rules and regulations.
Information on the payment arrangements and collection procedures will be communicated in due course.
Safety and Insurance
Travel Insurance
Participants are strongly encouraged to obtain adequate travel, medical, and accident insurance valid in the Republic of Kazakhstan for the entire duration of their stay. The CI does not cover medical treatment, hospitalization, evacuation, or personal liability costs beyond any emergency assistance that may be available at the venue.
Safety and Security
Participants are advised to:
- Keep their passports, valuables, and personal belongings secure at all times.
- Follow the instructions of Forum staff, volunteers, and security personnel, especially during transfers.
- Familiarise themselves with the emergency exits and evacuation routes at the hotel and Forum venue.
- Follow the instructions of hotel and security personnel in the event of a fire or other emergency.
Dress Code
The dress code for the Forum is business attire. Participants are encouraged to dress professionally and comfortably, taking into account the season and prevailing weather conditions in Almaty.
Weather, Electricity and Connectivity
Weather
Almaty experiences late-autumn weather in early November, with generally cold and changeable conditions. Historical November averages range from approximately −1 °C at night to 8 °C during the day, although colder temperatures may occur. Rain, sleet, or snow are possible.
Participants are advised to bring warm clothing, including a winter coat, sweater or fleece, gloves, a hat, and a scarf. Warm, non-slip footwear is also recommended for walking in wet, snowy or icy conditions. Hotels, restaurants, and meeting venues are generally heated.
Participants are encouraged to check the latest weather forecast shortly before traveling to Almaty.
Electricity and Plugs
Kazakhstan uses a 220-volt, 50-hertz electricity supply. Type C and Type F sockets, which have two round pins and are commonly used across continental Europe, are widely used.
Participants should:
- Confirm that their electronic devices are compatible with a 220-volt, 50-hertz supply.
- Bring a suitable universal plug adaptor if their plugs are not compatible with Type C or Type F sockets.
- Bring a voltage converter if using devices designed exclusively for a 110–120 volt supply.
Internet and Connectivity
Complimentary Wi-Fi is available in the guest rooms and public areas of the Rixos Almaty.
Information on Wi-Fi access in the Forum meeting rooms, including any required network names or passwords, will be provided at the Registration Desk.