Fifth Ministerial Conference on Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC)
18-20 October 2006: Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
Post-Conference Statement | Objectives | Expected Outputs | Participants | Related Events | News Releases
At their Fifth Ministerial Conference on 18-20 October 2006, Ministers from the eight countries participating in the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program adopted the Urumqi Declaration   and endorsed the CAREC Comprehensive Action Plan (CAP) . The Declaration reaffirms each countries' commitment to development through cooperation, leading to accelerated economic growth and poverty reduction; the CAP sets CAREC’s mission and agenda over the medium term.
In keynote speeches, PRC Vice Premier Chinese Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan called for strengthened cooperation in infrastructure development among Central Asian countries, including roads and railways. He also called for the creation of regional energy and power markets in Central Asia and more cooperation in renewable energy development and energy efficiency improvement. Mr. Zeng confirmed that the PRC encourages Chinese companies to participate in the economic development of Central Asian countries, and welcomed companies from those countries to invest in the PRC. Mr. Zeng also announced that his Government will provide $500,000 for human resource development activities in CAREC countries.
ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda emphasized the critical importance of regional cooperation to the future development of Central Asia and neighboring countries, and underlined the importance of translating CAREC’s vision into action. Mr. Kuroda pointed to a real and growing demand for improved connections between Europe and Asia, which will provide the region with an unprecedented opportunity to emerge as a center for trade and commerce, to achieve higher levels of economic growth, and to reduce poverty.
World Bank Vice President Shigeo Katsu stated a collective view on behalf of the MIs on progress under CAREC and the need for close partnership by all stakeholders.
ADB Vice President Jin Liqun co-chaired the conference as well as the CAREC Business Development Forum on 16-17 October.
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The Fifth Ministerial Conference (MC) will:
- review progress in regional cooperation activities since the 4th MC in 2005,
- set the direction and medium to long-term priorities for regional economic cooperation under the CAREC Program, and
- consider for endorsement the CAREC Comprehensive Action Plan
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- a report of Senior Officials to the 5th MC
- a Ministerial statement that reaffirms participating countries' commitment to regional cooperation and the CAREC Program
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Participation is by invitation only.
- Ministers and senior officials from the governments of participating countries in the CAREC Program, namely, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, People's Republic of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
- Representatives of the CAREC Working Group (ADB, EBRD, IMF, ISDB, UNDP, and World Bank)
- Observers from other multilateral and bilateral institutions
- Observers from neighboring countries
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CARECU Secretariat
Telephone: + 632 632 857/6368
Fax: + 632 636 2387
E-mail: carec@adb.org
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