The Investors Forum took forward the conclusions of the EU-commissioned Study on Sustainable Transport Corridors between the EU and Central Asia, and translated the political commitments of the EU and the five countries in Central Asia to enhance and reinforce connectivity into tangible operational deliverables.
Objectives of the Forum
The Forum contributed to the long-term objective of making the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor a multimodal, modern, competitive, sustainable, predictable, smart and fast route linking Europe and Central Asia in 15 days or less. For this, the Forum aimed to:
- send a strong and concrete signal to the five Central Asian countries of the EU’s political and operational commitment to strengthen connectivity with the region through the Global Gateway initiative
- kick-start the process for implementing and coordinating investments along the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor by following up on specific actions identified in the Study, notably by mobilising investors on projects, with concrete and realistic timelines and financial commitments
- commit key stakeholders for continued participation in the Forum as the main platform for implementing the projects identified in the Study
Participants
The event brought together high-level representatives from Central Asian countries, EU Member States, partner countries along the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, EU Institutions, international and bilateral financial institutions, as well as representatives of the private sector and members of civil society.
Agenda
The event started with a plenary opening session and subsequent panel discussion at political level setting the scene and framing the overall expectations in relation to the Investors Forum. This was followed by breakout sessions on topics including specific transport modalities, areas of cooperation and investment opportunities.
The event ended with a closing session that summarised the results and conclusions of the various sessions and looked ahead at next steps.
Day 1 | Monday, 29 January 202
- 08:45 - 09:30Registration & Welcome Coffee
- 09:30 - 10:30Opening session (Copper Hall)
- 10:30 - 11:00Coffee break
- 11:00 - 12:30Supporting sustainable transport connectivity in Central Asia and prospects for Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor (Copper Hall)
- 12:30 - 13:45Buffet lunch (Magritte Foyer)
- 13:45 - 15:00Parallel thematic sessions
- Land transport infrastructure as an opportunity to reduce transit time between Central Asia and Europe (Copper Hall)
- Connecting across borders: how trade facilitation is pivotal to unlock EU-Central Asia trade & investment potential (Silver Hall)
- 15:00 - 15:30Coffee break
- 15:30 - 17:00Parallel thematic sessions
- South Caucasus and Türkiye: the strong connectivity link between Central Asia and Europe (Copper Hall)
- Soft connectivity II: Making the Corridor Work: Interoperability and Harmonisation for Connectivity (Silver Hall)
- 17:00 – 17:15Break
- 17:15 – 18:30Perspectives from Central Asia (I)
- Maximising the Efficiency of the Middle Corridor: Kazakhstan’s Approach and Current Progress (Silver Hall)
- Tajikistan - Investing in Climate Resilient and Environmentally Sustainable Transport Infrastructure (Hall 100)
- Improving Regional Connectivity: Uzbekistan's Strategic Role in the Central Asia-Europe Middle Corridor (Copper Hall)
Day 2 | Tuesday, 30 January 2024
- 08:30 – 09:00Welcome Coffee
- 09:00 - 10:30Perspectives from Central Asia (II)
- The role of the Kyrgyz Republic in the development of sustainable transport connectivity between Europe and Central Asia (Silver Hall)
- Turkmenistan’s Gateway: Exploring Transit Hub Opportunities (Copper Hall)
- 10:30 - 11:00Coffee break
- 11:00 - 12:30Parallel thematic sessions
- Quick Wins, High Impact - Short-term Investment Possibilities for Trans-Caspian Transport Connectivity (Copper Hall)
- Crossing the Caspian Sea: turning the bottleneck into a key connection (Silver Hall)
- 12:30 - 14:00Buffet lunch (Magritte Foyer)
- 14:00 - 15:30Parallel thematic sessions
- Onward Journeys: Unlocking Medium-term Potential in Transport Connectivity (Copper Hall)
- Designing a Coordination mechanism to follow-up on the Investors’ Forum (Silver Hall)
- 15:30 - 16:00Closing session (Copper Hall)
- 16:00 - 17:00Networking time around a coffee
What is Global Gateway?
Across the world, problems of poor infrastructure, damage to the environment and lack of access to healthcare and education are no respecters of international borders. In recognition of this, the EU’s Global Gateway strategy connects countries and regions around the world, by encouraging public and private investment in a global network of transportation and supply chains, green energy, modern telecommunications, education and research. And all with an emphasis on sustainable development and on European values, such as good governance, transparency and equal partnership.
Related news
At the Investors Forum for EU-Central Asia Transport Connectivity, the EU, Central Asian countries and other gathered partners from across the world have made important steps to start the development of the fast route Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor linking Europe and Central Asia within 15 days.
The Global Gateway Investors Forum for EU-Central Asia Transport Connectivity opened today in Brussels, bringing together governments, financing institutions, businesses and civil society from Europe, Central Asia and beyond.