Sustainable connectivity and ensuring a greener future for our societies have become important mutual interests of the EU and Central Asia. In the context of the Global Gateway, the EU and its Member States have teamed up to provide initiatives in the areas of digitalisation, transport and green transition. Three priority objectives have been identified: speeding up digitalisation to unlock growth opportunities, diversifying transport and trade routes, and harnessing solar, wind and hydropower for a better-interconnected energy market. In cooperation with Central Asian countries, these initiatives will seek to mitigate the impact of the various challenges that the region is facing, from the impact of the new geopolitical context to the underlying and rapidly worsening problems of climate change. The opening session will set the stage for a more in-depth discussion on the main challenges and opportunities in three priority areas of the Conference – the digital gateway, the transport gateway and the green gateway to recovery and transition.

Opening Remarks from H.E. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice President of the European Commission Josep Borrell Fontelles, and EU Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen (all tbc).

Digitalisation can help overcome the landlocked geographical character of Central Asian countries, as well as improve public service delivery, support business recovery, and the greening of economies. Digital connectivity is also essential for the transformation of sectors such as education, health, finance, and agriculture. To achieve successful digitalisation, the region needs more investment into secure and resilient digital infrastructure. Central Asian Governments are investing in digitalisation and the EU and its Member States are ready to support this process. The objective of this panel is to explore views on how to improve digital connections among Central Asian countries and between Europe and Central Asia, respecting the highest international standards for a sustainable, human-centric, inclusive and trusted digital transformation.

Moderated discussion between five panellists and interaction with the audience.

Central Asia has embraced the sustainable energy transition with conviction in recent years, and there is a clear will for increased cooperation towards greater energy connectivity and efficiency. As part of its Global Gateway strategy, the EU is ready to support Central Asian countries in their transition to a greener and smartly interconnected regional energy market. The new regional Team Europe Initiative on Water, Energy and Climate Change will support Central Asian countries in scaling up energy cooperation, both intraregional and with EU stakeholders, with a focus on transboundary resources management and the facilitation of green energy investments. This session will particularly focus on the possibilities of a greener and better-interconnected Central Asian energy market

Moderated discussion between five panellists and interaction with the audience.