ArmInfo. The annual meeting of the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) opened today in Almaty. A business forum will also be held as part of it. Representatives of multilateral development banks (MDBs) and international organizations, government bodies and businesses, scientific and expert communities are invited to participate in the event.
According to the bank's press service, the event will combine several formats and will be held under the sign of expanding partnerships and the exchange of analytical findings and experience in solving key challenges for the region, including in the field of water and energy balance, development of transport and logistics routes, financial markets and other issues.
"We continue to form platforms for international dialogue to create potential partnerships and attract new investments in the Eurasian region and the countries of Central Asia. I am confident that this event is an opportunity to unite the efforts of national and international development institutions, exchange experience in project implementation, establish new contacts and expand cooperation in the field of sustainable financing," said Nikolai Podguzov, Chairman of the EDB Board.
As part of the business forum, a plenary session will be held on the topic "Cooperation between multilateral development banks: global challenges and regional solutions" dedicated to investments and international cooperation as a driver of economic growth, infrastructure development and the fight against poverty in the region.
A session on "Islamic finance in Central Asia" will be held and will talk about the development of the financial market and new instruments for it.
During the session "Water, Energy and Food: Partnerships and Projects for Sustainable Development", participants will try to explore the interconnections of these key sectors for the sustainable development of the region.
The session "Eurasian transport framework: potential, problems, solutions" will be devoted to the future of transport innovations and infrastructure, key projects and innovative approaches to transport development in Eurasia.
The session "Digital technologies and innovations for Eurasia" will cover issues of digital transformation, unique digital projects and their impact on the region, as well as the necessary steps for the development of cross-border digital projects and initiatives that have an integration effect at the regional and international levels.
The EDB Annual Meeting 2024 is a significant event promoting cooperation, knowledge exchange and strengthening partnerships towards achieving sustainable development in the Eurasian region.
At the end of 2021, the EDB adopted the Development Strategy in the Republic of Armenia for 2022-2026. During Armenia's membership in the Bank since 2009, over 25 projects have been implemented here for a total amount exceeding $520 million in sectors such as agriculture, agribusiness, energy, transport and the financial sector. Projects in the mining industry are being considered.
The EDB plays the unique role of a regional development partner in the countries where it operates, with a focus on projects that have a significant integration effect and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals of its member economies. The key sources of funding for the EDB's lending and investment activities are long-term borrowings in capital markets and its own resources.