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ADB to Host Ministerial Conference on Economic Cooperation in Central Asia

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (20 March 2002) - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will host the first Ministerial Conference on Economic Cooperation in Central Asia on 25 and 26 March 2002 at its headquarters in Manila.

The conference will provide an opportunity to strengthen coordination and cooperation among the international community for improved assistance to the Central Asian region. Most importantly, it will facilitate regular high-level dialogue between leaders of the countries to build trust and understanding as the foundation of cooperation.

High-level government officials from the People's Republic of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are expected to participate in the first major economic cooperation meeting in Central Asia since the events of September 11. Government officials from neighboring countries, including Azerbaijan, Mongolia, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan will also attend, along with representatives from international aid agencies. ADB President Tadao Chino will deliver the opening speech.

The conference aims to provide guidance in prioritizing regional investment needs and in mobilizing resources to finance them. It will also provide an occasion for concerned countries and donors to discuss areas for better coordination as well as to explore new prospects for cooperation in the context of the reconstruction of Afghanistan.

ADB and the Central Asian countries have been partners in development since 1997 in encouraging economic cooperation in the region. ADB's assistance in the region focuses on concrete regional investment projects in three key areas:

• Transport - to lessen the region's geographical disadvantages;
• Energy - to promote rational use of energy and water; and
• Trade - to enhance market integration within the region and the world markets.

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