Discussions on economic cooperation in Central Asia are taking place at the forum at State Residence No. 1 "Ala-Archa" of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic. A Bishkek Declaration summarizing the key outcomes of the discussions will be drawn up at the end of the event.

Focus of discussions: areas of development and cooperation

Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Deputy Secretary-General of the UN and Executive Secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), noted that the main theme of this year's chairmanship is sustainable connectivity. This connectivity should cover land transport, digital technologies and energy.

The importance of diversifying trade ties

Experts stressed that for landlocked Central Asian countries it is critically important to use digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, to improve the resilience and efficiency of connectivity. In addition, it is necessary to develop trade and investment not only with Europe but also with other Asian states, including Southeast Asia, and to strengthen ties in the tourism sector.

We have long been working on simplifying trade procedures. But if this continues to be done only on paper
Tatiana Molcean, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)

Key areas of cooperation

  • Economic cooperation
  • Transport connectivity
  • Digital development
4-5November
1State Residence No. 1 "Ala-Archa" of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic

The forum also discusses issues related to rail links, to which UNECE pays particular attention.