Bishkek, Nov. 20, 2025. /Kabar/. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) announced plans to invest over $10 billion by 2030 to support projects and initiatives under the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program, marking a major step toward creating a digitally connected and sustainable region.
According to the Ministry of Economy, ADB President Masato Kanda, speaking at the conference, noted that the vision for CAREC is clear: a region with economic and environmental sustainability, social inclusiveness, and digital connectivity. The projects will contribute to deeper integration, increased resilience, and shared growth.
The announcement was made during the 24th CAREC Ministerial Conference, where CAREC ministers also endorsed the midterm reviews of three key strategies: the CAREC Transport Strategy 2030, the CAREC Integrated Trade Agenda 2030, and the CAREC Digital Strategy 2030.
The three strategies provide a roadmap for strengthening regional connectivity, promoting trade diversification, and accelerating digitalization through investments in green infrastructure, smart mobility, and harmonized regulation. These efforts are consistent with ADB's work to promote inclusive, sustainable, and resilient growth in the region, which includes countries in the Caucasus, Central Asia, East Asia, and South Asia.
The CAREC Program is a partnership of countries and development partners working together to promote sustainable development and economic growth through regional cooperation. Since 2001, the CAREC Program has mobilized more than $54 billion in investment for regional projects. ADB serves as the CAREC Secretariat.
The conference highlighted significant progress in trade facilitation and border modernization, including the approval of the "Regional Improvement of Border Services along the Almaty-Bishkek Economic Corridor" project, which will modernize three border crossings between Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, making them more resilient and energy efficient.
The event marked the launch of negotiations on the CAREC Trade and Investment Facilitation Partnership (TIFP), a strategic framework aimed at reducing trade barriers and promoting cooperation in emerging areas such as digital trade and services.
The ministerial conference was preceded by CAREC Business Forum, which brought together over 200 leaders from the private sector, governments, and development partners. The forum discussed opportunities to transform CAREC corridors into engines of economic growth, digital innovation, and climate resilience. The next ministerial conference will be held in Mongolia in 2026, marking the 25th anniversary of the CAREC program.
ADB is a leading multilateral development bank supporting inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth in Asia and the Pacific. Working with its member countries and partners to address complex challenges, ADB uses innovative financial instruments and strategic partnerships to transform people's lives, build quality infrastructure, and protect the planet. Established in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members—50 from the region.