Bishkek, July 14, 2026. /Kabar/. The permanent representatives of the participating states of the UN Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) was held at the UN headquarters in New York, chaired by Bakyt Sydykov, Minister of Economy and Commerce of Kyrgyz Republic.
According to the ministry, Kyrgyzstan will chair SPECA in 2026.
Opening the meeting, Bakyt Sydykov emphasized that for landlocked SPECA member states, the development of transport, logistics, and efficient cross-border freight transport is of strategic importance and remains a key prerequisite for sustainable economic growth.
During the meeting, the minister presented the priorities of the Kyrgyz chairmanship. These include the development of sustainable transport and logistics, the digitalization of trade, the promotion of e-commerce, support for small and medium-sized businesses, and the implementation of joint cross-border projects for the sustainable development of the region.
According to the minister, special attention is being paid to the implementation of the SPECA roadmap for the digitalization of multimodal data and document exchange within the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor using legal instruments and UN standards. Kyrgyzstan also supports the transition of SPECA member states to the use of electronic freight transport data by 2027 in accordance with international UN standards.
Bakyt Sydykov reaffirmed Kyrgyzstan's commitment to further strengthening regional cooperation, developing the Middle Corridor, promoting paperless cross-border trade, and improving the mechanisms of the SPECA Multilateral Trust Fund.
Kyrgyzstan's participation in the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development and SPECA events is aimed at advancing national sustainable development priorities, expanding international cooperation, and strengthening partnerships within the UN system.