2022

18 November
Samarkand, Uzbekistan

Samarkand EU-Central Asia

Connectivity Conference:

Global Gateway

About conference

As part of global efforts to “build back better” following the COVID-19 pandemic, and in order to help mitigate the socio-economic impact of the new geopolitical context, the EU and the countries of Central Asia are working together to support Central Asian countries’ drive to modernise, boost investment, digitalise, facilitate trade within and beyond the region and diversify their transport routes. In this context, the European Union (EU) has been actively supporting Central Asia’s transition towards a sustainable, climate-neutral and inclusive growth based on democracy and the rule of law. Given the common history and challenges faced by the region’s economies as well as their developing links, closely co-ordinated regional responses will bring additional value.

The Samarkand EU-Central Asia Connectivity Conference: Global Gateway will provide a platform for intra- and inter-regional dialogue on shared solutions, that will help translate the goals of resilience, prosperity and regional cooperation, set out in the EU Strategy on Central Asia, into action.

Speakers

H.E. Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan

H.E. Mr. Josep Borrell

High Representative Vice President of the European Commission

H.E. Mr. Mukhtar Tileuberdi

Deputy Prime Minister
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan


“Visions for Connecting Central Asia and the European Union”

H.E. Mr. Jeenbek Kulubaev

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic


“Visions for Connecting Central Asia and the European Union”

H.E. Mr. Sirojiddin Muhriddin

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan


“Visions for Connecting Central Asia and the European Union”

H.E. Mr. Rashit Meredow

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkmenistan


“Visions for Connecting Central Asia and the European Union”

H.E. Mr. Vladimir Norov

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan


“Visions for Connecting Central Asia and the European Union”

H.E. Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan

H.E. Mr. Josep Borrell

High Representative Vice President of the European Commission

H.E. Ms. Jutta Urpilainen

European Commissioner for International Partnerships

H.E. Mr. Mukhtar Tileuberdi

Deputy Prime Minister
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan


“Visions for Connecting Central Asia and the European Union”

H.E. Mr. Jeenbek Kulubaev

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic


“Visions for Connecting Central Asia and the European Union”

H.E. Mr. Sirojiddin Muhriddin

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan


“Visions for Connecting Central Asia and the European Union”

H.E. Mr. Rashit Meredow

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkmenistan


“Visions for Connecting Central Asia and the European Union”

H.E. Mr. Vladimir Norov

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan


“Visions for Connecting Central Asia and the European Union”

Digital Connectivity

Ms. Shahlo Turdikulova
Deputy Minister of Innovative Development of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Mr. David Ringrose
Head of Division Connectivity and Digital Transition at the European External Action Service (EEAS)
Mr. Gregory Lecomte
Senior Policy Analyst at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
Mr. Massimiliano Volpe
Regional Director for Central Asia and the Caucasus at Nokia
Indira Sharshenova
Deputy Minister for Digital Development of the Kyrgyz Republic
Timur Sarsenov
Business Development Director, Europe and Central Asia of SES.
Benoit Denis
Senior Economist Digital Infrastructure at the European Investment Bank.
Moderated:
Mr. Dastan Dogoev
Member of Global Minds Initiative Advisory Board and Coordinator of national programme “Legacy of Nomads”, former Minister of Digital Development of Kyrgyz Republic

Transport

Ms. Maja Bakran Marcich
Deputy Director General for Mobility and Transport at the European Commission
Mrs. Zsuzsanna Hargitai
Managing Director for Central Asia at the European Bank for Development and Reconstruction (EBRD)
Mr. Heinrich Kerstgens
Corporate Representative and Director Board Projects of Rhenus Group
Mr. Hideaki Iwasaki
Director of Transport and Communications Division for the Central and West Asia regional department at the Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Mr. Kairbek Uskenbayev
Minister for Infrastructure and Innovation of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Kunio Mikuriya
Secretary General World Customs Organization (WCO)
Moderated:
Mr. William Tompson
Head of Eurasia Division, Global Relations Secretariat at the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

Energy

Mrs. Marjeta Jager
Deputy Director General for International Partnerships at the European Commission
Mr. Marc Girard
Senior Executive Vice-President of EDF
Mr. Charles Cormier
Regional Director for Infrastructure Central Asia at the World Bank
Mr. Daler Juma
Minister of Energy and Water Resources of the Republic of Tajikistan, to be confirmed
Moderated:
Ms. Nozima Davletova
Lecturer at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy of Tashkent

Sections

1

Conference Opening

09:30-10:30

2

Plenary Session

11:00-12:30

3

Parallel Session I on Digitalisation

14:00-16:00

4

Parallel Session II on Transport

14:00-16:00

5

Parallel Session III on Energy and Water

14:00-16:00

6

Closing session

16:30-17:30

Useful information