Bishkek, Nov. 4, 2026 /Kabar/. The focus is on strengthening transport and trade links within the region, developing digital connectivity, and ensuring sustainable and inclusive development. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) told at the Economic Forum of the UN Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA), currently taking place in Bishkek.
According to her, most countries in the region are landlocked. Therefore, these areas are vital for reducing costs, attracting investment, and strengthening economic resilience.
In the transport sector, she emphasized the importance of efficient transport corridors, logistics, and border-crossing procedures, as well as the harmonization of regulations and the development of cross-border cooperation.
"ESCAP will continue to support SPECA countries in enhancing the resilience of transport corridors, facilitating cross-border transport, and developing sustainable transport systems. In the realm of digitalization, particular attention is being paid to paperless trade, which helps reduce delays and operational costs as well as the interoperability of customs systems and digital transport services.
ESCAP facilitates this work through the Framework Agreement on Facilitation of Cross-border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific and the SPECA Roadmap for the Digitalization of Multimodal Transport," she said. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana also noted that the development of mutual connectivity should facilitate economic diversification, strengthen value chains, create jobs, and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
"In this context, key prerequisites include investments in digital skills, access to markets and technologies for small and medium-sized enterprises, and the participation of women entrepreneurs and young innovators in digital trade, including by leveraging the potential of artificial intelligence," she added.
Referring to the anticipated adoption of the Bishkek Declaration, Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana described the SPECA Trust Fund as a mechanism for mobilizing resources to implement regional initiatives, and reaffirmed the commitment of ESCAP in collaboration with the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) to support the program’s participating countries.
SPECA Economic Forum is taking place on November 4–5 at the "Ala-Archa" State Residence in Bishkek, under the theme "Promoting Connectivity for Sustainable Development in the SPECA Region."
