Central Asian Regional Economic Cooperation
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The Central Asian Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC)
Contents |
About
CAREC is an organisation funded mainly by ADB but which is well supported by most of the international organisations and the donor community. CAREC’s goal is to improve living standards and to reduce poverty in CAREC countries through more efficient and effective regional economic cooperation. To date, the Program has focused on financing infrastructure projects and improving the region's policy environment in the priority areas of transport, energy, trade policy, trade facilitation
The direct connection with water management is due to the CAREC focus on energy and energy markets, but it is the building of a broader cooperative climate which will have the greatest impact on water management in the region.
The CAREC Program includes 8 countries in the Central Asia region, namely:
* Afghanistan * Azerbaijan * People's Republic of China (focusing on Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region) * Kazakhstan * Kyrgyz Republic * Mongolia * Tajikistan * Uzbekistan
In addition, an invitation to participate is under consideration by the Russian Federation.
CAREC is also an alliance of multilateral institutions active in promoting economic cooperation in Central Asia. CAREC is also an alliance of multilateral institutions comprising Asian Development Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, International Monetary Fund, Islamic Development Bank, United Nations Development Programme, and World Bank. ADB’s CAREC Unit (CARECU) has served as the Program Secretariat since March 2000.
CAREC operates in partnership with other key regional cooperation programs and institutions, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Eurasian Economic Community.
MAIN LESSONS
- CAREC is important because it is a forum of ministers, who are decision makers and who have the ability to promote and drive regional cooperation. It was considered by ADB and others that good progress was made in 2005, especially at the October (technical) and November (ministerial) meetings. While there may have been no specific agreements signed, it was considered that progress had been made in the overall climate of cooperation.
- UNDP has been supporting CAREC through attending meetings and other activities and this should continue.
(By Peter Beljak)
Contact
- CARECU Secretariat
Telephone: + 632 632 5857/6368 Fax: + 632 636 2387 E-mail: [email protected]
- CARECU Field Office
Kazakhstan Resident Mission (KARM) Office in Almaty 20A Kazibek Bi Street, 4th Floor Arai Bldg. Almaty 050000, Kazakhstan Telephone No. + 7-3272 918-513/27 Facsimile No. + 7-3272 918-670
Craig Steffensen Head, CARECU
Further Readings, References, Links
