Tag: Inclusive development

Eighth CAREC Think Tank Development Forum. The Climate Challenge: Thinking Beyond Borders for Collective Action

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is a key sponsor of the Eighth CAREC Think Tank Development Forum (CTTDF), which will be held on August 27-28, 2024, in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The forum aims to address regional climate challenges by fostering collaborations for policy recommendations and joint research.

With the theme “The Climate Challenge: Thinking Beyond Borders for Collective Action,” the forum will focus on global climate governance, balancing economic growth with carbon reduction, and innovative climate finance solutions. Participants will engage in meaningful policy discourse to identify solutions for a climate-resilient region, explore joint research opportunities, and facilitate innovative climate studies beyond mainstream agendas.

The ADB’s involvement underscores its commitment to sustainable and inclusive development in the region. By supporting the CTTDF, the ADB is contributing to the development of innovative climate solutions that can help the region adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Agenda

TimeSession
8:30 am – 9:00 amRegistration
9:00 am – 09:30 amSession I: Opening Ceremony

Welcome Remarks by Mr. Kabir Jurazoda, Director, CAREC Institute
Opening Address by Mr. Yang Yingming, Vice President, Asian Development Bank (ADB), Manila, Philippines (TBC)
Keynote Address by Minister of National Economy, Kazakhstan (TBC)
Group Photo
09:30 am – 10:40 amSession II: Context Setting


  • Assessing the impact of Climate Initiatives: Progress, Pitfalls and Lessons Learned. Johannes F. Linn, Nonresident Senior Fellow, Global Economy and Development Program, Brookings Institution, Washington D.C., USA (TBC)
  • Climate change, and adaption and mitigation technologies, call for focused think-tank cooperation. Hans Holzhacker, Chief Economist, CAREC Institute
  • Pathways to Sustainable Development: Achieving High Economic Growth While Minimizing Carbon Footprints. Norbert Funke, Director IMF CCAMTAC, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Open Discussion
Moderator: Lyaziza Sabyrova, Regional Head, Regional Cooperation and Integration, Asian Development Bank
10:40 am – 11:00 amCoffee
11:00 am – 12:50 pmSession III: Asia in the Global Fight Against Climate Change: Capturing Sub-regional Perspectives

  • ASEAN’s Path to Net Zero: Policy Framework, Supporting Initiatives, and the Pathway. Ms. Marthe M. Hinojales, Senior Economist, Regional Surveillance, ASEAN +3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO), Singapore
  • Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS): Enhancing Synergies and Subregional Cooperation for Climate Resilient and Net Zero Development. Suriyan Vichitlekarn, Executive Director, Mekong Institute, Thailand
  • CAREC Region’s Climate Vulnerabilities: Policy Options for a Sustainable Future. Iskandar Abdullaev, IWMI (International Water Management Institute) Country Representative for Pakistan
  • Decarbonizing Global Value Chains in CAREC: Impact of the EU’s CBAM on CAREC Economies. Altynay Arapova, Economist, Regional Cooperation and Integration, Asian Development Bank
  • Critical Raw Materials (CRMs) in the CAREC Region: Need for a Regional Framework for Sustainable Extraction. Roman Vakulchuk, Head of Climate and Energy Research Group
    Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI), Oslo, Norway
  • CAREC Climate Change Action Plan: Integrating Climate Change into CAREC Program Themes. Khalid Umar, Regional Cooperation Specialist, CWRC, ADB

Open Discussion
Moderator: Mr. Sergei Ulatov, Deputy-Managing Director, EFSD”
12:50 pm – 2:00 pmSession IV: CTTN Research Grants Program (RGP) Presentations: From Ideas to Impact: Accelerating Climate Solutions through Innovative Development

  • Innovative Perspectives: Exploring Opportunities in Emissions Trading Systems for CAREC Countries. Giorgi Khishtovani, Research Director, PMC Research Center, Georgia
  • Climate Change in Kazakhstan: State Policy and Public Awareness. Azimzhan Khitakhunov, Senior Research Fellow, Eurasian Research Institute of the Khoja Akhmet Yassawi International Turkish-Kazakh University, Kazakhstan
  • Optimizing Financial Architecture by Overcoming Challenges to Implement Emission Trading Mechanisms in the CAREC Region. Ummara Razi, Lecturer and Research Associate, ILMA University, Pakistan
  • Designing Policy Support for Climate-smart Trade in the CAREC Region. Hadiqa Tanveer, Lecturer, Bahria Business School, Pakistan
  • Carbon Pricing in Central Asia: Opportunities and Barriers: The Case of the Kyrgyz Republic. Aijan Sharshenova, Executive Director, Crossroads Central Asia, Kyrgyz Republic

Open Discussion
Moderator: Dr. Siddarth Saxena, Chairman, Cambridge Central Asia Forum, UK
2:00 pm – 3:00 pmLunch @ Ballroom
3:00 pm – 4:10 pmSession V: Innovative Technologies for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation

  • Technological Disparity: Bridging the Gap Between Advanced and Developing Economies. Dr. Xianchun Tan, professor of Institutes of Science and Development, vice-director of the Center for Carbon Neutrality Strategy, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CASISD)
  • Scalable Solutions I: Greening Economic Corridors, Production, and Trade. Mr. Kumar Utsav, Country Director, ADB Kazakhstan Resident Mission
  • Scalable Solutions II: Green Hydrogen: Opportunities, Challenges, and Policy. Ms. Dina Azhgaliyeva, ADBI
  • Developing Innovation Ecosystem: Impact of the Made in China 2025 Industrial Strategy on Green Innovation. Dr. Asif Razzaq, Senior Researcher, CAREC Institute

Open Discussion
Moderator: Hans Holzhacker, Chief Economist, CAREC Institute”
4:10 – 4:30Coffee @ Foyer
4:30 pm – 6:00Session VI: Local Solutions for Climate Resilience

  • Azerbaijan Case Study. Vusala Jafarova, Chief Advisor at the Strategic Planning Division, Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication (CAERC), Azerbaijan
  • China Case Study. Li Cangshu, Associate Research Fellow and Coordinator of the “Dual Carbon” Project, Center for International Knowledge on Development, China
  • Mongolia Case Study. Tuvshintugs Batdelger, Director, Economic Research Institute, Mongolia
  • Tajikistan Case Study. Jahongir Dehkonov, Director of PO “Fund for Poverty Reduction
  • Turkmenistan Case Study. Mr. Jumamuhammet Geldiyev, Senior Specialist, Division for Financial Analysis of Agro-Industrial Complex, Department for Development and Financing of Economic Sectors
  • Uzbekistan Case Study. Ezoz Ozodov, Manager of the Innovation Cluster for Sustainable Development, “TIIAME” National Research University, Uzbekistan

Open Discussion
Moderator: TBC (AIIB or Craig)”
TimeSession
9:00 am – 9:30 amRegistration
9:30 am – 11:00Session VII: Fixing Climate Finance

  • Bridging Sustainable Financing Gap: Role of Development Partners, Governments, Regulators and Private Finance Entities. Subathirai Sivakumaran, Chief of Section, Financing for Development
  • Section, Macroeconomic Policy and Financing for Development Division, United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), Thailand
  • Financial Solutions to Close the Investment Gap in the Drinking Water and Sanitation Infrastructure of Central Asia. Arman Ahunbaev, Head of the Centre for Infrastructure and Industrial Research, Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), Kazakhstan
  • Scaling up private climate finance: drivers, impediments, and solutions. Shu (Grace) Tian, Senior Economist, Economic Research and Development Impact Department, ADB
  • Financial Innovation: Startups and Financing Green Technologies in the CAREC Region. Ms. Xiaojing Fei, Co-host of Impact Hub Asia-Pacific

Open Discussion
Moderator: Akiko Terada-Hagiwara, Principal Country Specialist, ADB”
11:00 am – 11:20Coffee @ Foyer
11:20 am – 12:30 pmSession VIII: CAREC Think Tank Voices

Panel Discussion on Navigating Political and Business Landscape: Achieving Financial Sustainability and Fostering Institutional Growth
  • Suat Beylur, Director, Eurasian Research Institute, Kazakhstan
  • Abid Suleri, Executive Director/Advisory Council Committee Member of COP29, Sustainable Development Policy Institute, Pakistan
  • Mr. Shahin Sadiqov, Director, Economic Scientific Research Institute, Azerbaijan
  • Mariam Lobjanidze, Acting Lead Economist, ISET Policy Institute, Georgia
  • Dr. Indira Satarkulova, Acting Director, OSCE Academy in Bishkek

Open Discussion
Moderator: Kuat Akizhanov, Deputy Director II, CAREC Institute”
12:30 pm – 1:00 pmCTTN Progress Report

CTTN Progress and Initiatives by the Secretariat
Dilraba Adil, Planning Specialist, CAREC Institute

Suggestions and Feedback on CTTN
Moderator: (From CI or Khalid)
1:00 pm – 1:10 pmClosing Reflections and Acknowledgements by Dr. Jingjing Huang, Deputy Director, CAREC Institute
1:10 pm – 2:30 pmLunch

4th CAREC Institute Annual Research Conference

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is proud to support the 4th Annual Research Conference of the CAREC Institute (CI), themed “Rethinking Development Strategies: Green, Innovative, and Inclusive Development for the CAREC Region.” This conference, co-organized by the College of Social Sciences and the China & Central Asia Studies Center at KIMEP University, along with the ADB-PRC Regional Knowledge Sharing Initiative (RKSI), will take place on August 29-30, 2024, in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The ADB’s involvement underscores its commitment to fostering sustainable and inclusive development in the CAREC region.

The primary objective of the conference is to connect research and policymaking, fostering regional development by systematically documenting policy-oriented research and creating narratives specific to the CAREC region. The event will showcase research findings, discuss their policy implications, and culminate in the publication of selected research in CI’s Annual Book and relevant journals.

By addressing regional developmental challenges, proposing innovative policy recommendations, and enhancing regional research cooperation, the conference aims to improve policy relevance and impact across the CAREC region. Comprehensive materials, including session details, speaker biographies, and presentation summaries, will be provided to all participants.

We look forward to your participation in this important event.

Agenda

TimeSession
9.15–10.00Registration/CI Video to be screened
10.00–11.00OPENING SESSION

Opening Remarks
Kabir Jurazoda, Director, CAREC Institute (CI)
Damian Riviez, Vice President of Academic Affairs, KIMEP University
Kadir Basboga, Senior Regional Integration& Trade Promotion Economist, Islamic Development Bank (IsDB)

Keynote address
Johannes F. Linn, Nonresident Senior Fellow, The Brookings Institution

Group Photo
11.00–11.30Coffee break
11.30–13.00Parallel Session I: Energy/Renewable Energy/Sustainable Energy
Hall #1, 2nd floor

Moderator
Vladislav Zavadskiy, Senior Energy Expert, CI

Speakers:
  • Burulcha Sulaimanova, Dina Azhgaliyeva, Hans Holzhacker “House insulation: needs and willingness in Central Asia”
  • Qiong Zhang, Dina Azhgaliyeva “Hydrogen Fuel Cell Trucks: Total Cost of Ownership Analysis for the People’s Republic of China”
  • Ubaid ur Rehman Zia, Mahnoor Arshad, Zainab Babar “Sustainable Energy Transition in South Asia: Challenges and Emerging Opportunities through Regional Collaboration”
  • Hu Sheng, “PhotoSynthetic Refining: heavy oil slurry bed hydro-splitting full conversion technology”
  • Ramil Shakirov, “Electrical Digital Twin: Enabling Safety & Sustainability for today & future”, Schneider Electric

Discussant:
Ramil Shakirov, Head of the Training Center, Schneider Electric
Parallel Session II: Green Initiatives/Climate and Environment

Moderator
Asif Razzaq, Senior Research Specialist, CI

Speakers:
  • Falendra Kumar “Unlocking Innovative Governance Practices and Public-Private Financing for Achieving Sustainable Green Energy Transition in the CAREC Region: Challenges, Opportunities, and Policy Implications”
  • Hua Wang, Yingqing Lai, Yixin Yao “How Factors Affect Carbon Emission Price: Case Study of Beijing Carbon Emission Market”
  • Iskandar Abdullaev, Shakhboz Akhmedov “Water Security in Central Asia – Adaptation Strategies for Climate Resilience”
  • Ding Chen, “Dynamic connectedness between FDI, economic activity, energy consumption and CO2 emissions in Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) countries: The mediating role of institutional quality”
  • Naseem Faraz, Ghulam Samad “Climate Debt and Sustainability: Implication for CAREC Region”
  • Anton Merkulov, “Smart integration of renewable power generation as a key factor of green initiatives implementation”, Siemens Kazakhstan

Discussant:
Shu (Grace) Tian, Senior Economist, Economic Research and Development Impact Department, ADB
Parallel Session III: Trade/Connectivity/CorridorsTrade/Connectivity/Corridors

Moderator
Ghulam Samad, Chief of Research Division, CI

Speakers:
  • Yinghao He, Yueshu Zhao “The Economic Shadow of CBAM: Assessing Trade Impacts on Central Asia and the South Caucasus
  • Farrukh Khakimov “Digital Readiness of Central Asian States for Cross-Border Paperless Trade: A Study on Digital Infrastructure and Regional Connectivity”
  • Qaisar Abbas “Digital Trade, Economic Corridors Development: Need for Innovative Strategies”
  • Ali Raza Hanjra “Enhancing Port Competitiveness and Regional Trade in Pakistan along the CAREC Corridor: Role of the Government Support”

Discussant:
Xiaotong Zhang, Academic Director at China and Central Asia Studies Center (CCASC)
13.00–14.00Lunch
14:00–15.30Parallel Session IV: Inequality and Inclusivity

Moderator
Ilhom Abdulloev, Chief of Capacity Building Division, CI

Speakers:
  • Kuat Akizhanov “Addressing Socio-Economic Inequality in the CAREC Region: Why Non-Orthodox Approach Is Needed”
  • Kaliyeva Saule, Elvira Buitek “Competencies and Skills Essential for Green Jobs”
  • Emmanuel Umoru Haruna, Vincent Tawiah “Does Income Inequality endanger Green growth? Evidence from selected countries in Asia and the Global South”
  • Adeel Kadri “Breaking Chains: Informal Employment in CAREC and Escaping the Middle-Income Trap”
  • Madina Junussova, Saniya Soltybaeva, Bakhytzhan Kurmanov “Urban Economic Resilience in Central Asian Cities”


Discussant:
Alma Kudebayeva, KIMEP University
Parallel Session V: ADB-PRC RKSI
Evidence from the CAREC Corridor Performance Measurement and Monitoring Database

Moderator
Akiko Terada-Hagiwara, Principal Country Specialist, East Asia Department, ADB

Speakers:

  • Kijin Kim “The Impact of COVID-19 Mobility Restrictions on Trade Facilitation at Borders in the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Region”
  • Dorothea Ramizo “Impact of Non-Tariff Measures and Border Crossing Time and Costs on Trade in Perishable Goods in the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Region”
  • Kamalbek Karymshakov “Trade Facilitation, Infrastructure, and International Trade in Central Asian Countries”
  • Ghulam Samad “Geographical Proximity and Trade Impacts in the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Program Region”

Discussant:
Max Ee, CPMM consultant
Parallel Session VI: Innovation/innovative solutions

Moderator
Hans Holzhacker, Chief Economist, CI

Speakers:
  • Abylaikhan Soltanayev “Living Labs as Catalysts for Sustainable Energy Transition in Central Asia”
  • Kinza Malik “Modelling the Effect of FDI on Economic Growth in Central Asia: The Role of Digitalization”
  • Asif Razzaq “Does Artificial Intelligence Improve Green Transformation? Mechanism Analysis of China’s A-share Listed Companies and Implications for CAREC Ladder Countries”
  • Merdan Yazyyev “Innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises with a focus on energy efficiency, renewables, and digitalization”
  • Liu Bingcai “Evaluation of the Co-benefits and Trade-offs of Solar+ Projects and Their Prospects for Application in the CAREC Region”
  • Michiko Enomoto “Fostering Innovation and Development in Central Asia”

Discussant:
Nurgali Rakhmanov, President “Digital Society” NGO, S/GPP Policy Expert
15.30–16.00Coffee break
16.00–17.30Panel Session: Rethinking Development Strategies: Green, Innovative, and Inclusive Development for the CAREC region

  • Soo Hyun Kim, The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)
  • Kadir Basboga, Senior Regional Integration & Trade Promotion Economist, Islamic Development Bank (IsDB)
  • Nadeem Naqvi, Professor of Economics, KIMEP University
    Marthe M. Hinojales, Senior Economist, AMRO+
  • Jang Ping Thia, Lead Economist and Manager of Economics Department
    Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)
TimeSession
10.00–10.10Special Session
Introduction of the CAREC Institute Knowledge Products
  • Jingjing Huang, Deputy Director, CI
  • Kuat Akizhanov, Deputy Director, CI
10.10–10.30CI’s Book Launch “PROSPECTS FOR INCLUSIVE GREEN GROWTH AND SUSTAINABILITY IN THE CAREC REGION”
  • Kuat Akizhanov, Deputy Director, CI
  • Ghulam Samad, Chief of Research Division, CI
10.30–11.00CI and UNESCAP Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation Report Launch
  • Soo Hyun Kim, The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)
  • Ghulam Samad, Chief of Research Division, CI

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