Enhancing regional integration of landlocked developing countries in North and Central Asia through infrastructure connectivity

North and Central Asia continues to remain the least integrated subregion in Asia and the Pacific. Intraregional merchandise export within North and Central Asia accounted for 7.9% of its total export in 2015, which is significantly lower than in other subregions: 34.6% in East and North-East Asia and 24.4% in South-East Asia.

The lack of infrastructure connectivity hinders regional integration within the subregion and between subregions. North and Central Asia and its neighbouring countries have started extending and modernising their infrastructure networks of transport, power generation and transmission, as well as communication.

To maximize gains from this opportunity, the Seminar “Enhancing regional integration of landlocked developing countries in North and Central Asia through infrastructure connectivity” will review and discuss

1. priorities of landlocked countries in North and Central Asia in national strategy for infrastructure development in transport, energy and ICT;
2. transit potential in their neighbouring countries;
3. current opportunities of cross-sectoral and cross-border infrastructure development for enhancing seamless connectivity in the subregion.

The seminar invites government officials from landlocked countries in North and Central Asia and their main transit countries to share their current projects, opportunities and challenges in infrastructure development at the national level. Experts from ESCAP and regional development partner organizations will also review subregional initiatives to develop infrastructure in transport, energy and ICT. This knowledge-sharing activity will build policy makers’ capacity to plan infrastructure development projects at the national and subregional level more effectively and efficiently.