2026 Tianshan Forum on Central Asia Economic Cooperation held in Kazakhstan

China News Service, Astana, November 3. The 2026 Tianshan Forum on Central Asia Economic Cooperation was held in Almaty, Kazakhstan from the 2nd to the 3rd. With the theme of "Strengthening Resilient Connectivity and Promoting High-Quality Investment in Central Asia", this forum was attended by more than 300 senior government officials, representatives of international organizations, business people and think tank experts from member countries of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Mechanism (CAREC), and exchanges were held on topics such as transportation, trade, energy and digital connectivity.

At the opening ceremony, Chinese Finance Minister Lan Fo'an said that over the years, under the framework of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Mechanism and through the joint efforts of member states and development partners, Central Asia's connectivity has accelerated, trade and investment have flourished, and major projects have been continuously implemented, forming a pragmatic, efficient, and deeply integrated cooperation pattern. China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Central Asian countries, vigorously promote the "China-Central Asia Spirit", build a closer China-Central Asia community with a shared future, and support the development of Central Asia into a "golden crossroads" connecting the Eurasian continent.

Zhumangarin, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy of Kazakhstan, said that Central Asia has a superior geographical location, rich natural resources, vast market and huge development potential. To achieve high-quality development of regional cooperation, we must not only increase investment in new production facilities, modern technology applications and high value-added industries, but also expand the capacity of transportation corridors. At the same time, it is necessary to promote the modernization of railway and highway infrastructure and the development of multimodal transport to create favorable conditions for trade and investment.

During the forum, the "Investment in Central Asia Sub-forum" and the "Local Government Cooperation Sub-forum" were held, and the guests discussed topics such as infrastructure interconnection and industrial upgrading, sustainable agriculture and desertification prevention and control. During the same period, the Central Asia Transportation and Logistics Center was officially established at the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Institute. Chinese and foreign companies and institutions signed a number of cooperation agreements involving urban water supply, clean energy, industrial investment and other fields.

This forum is co-sponsored by the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Institute and the Ministry of National Economy of Kazakhstan, with the Asian Development Bank serving as a strategic partner.