Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal has called for transforming the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Institute into a regional knowledge hub to promote the exchange of research, expertise, and experiences among member countries. He was addressing the CAREC Institute’s Governing Council meeting in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, today. Ahsan Iqbal said that after 25 years of developing road, rail, and energy connectivity and trade corridors, the next phase of regional cooperation should focus on sharing knowledge, experiences, and skills alongside the movement of goods and energy. He proposed establishing a regional knowledge platform, a roster of experts, and a formal mechanism for officials to exchange experiences and learn from one another. He emphasized cooperation in trade facilitation, customs systems, logistics, renewable energy, disaster management, agriculture, and skills development. He said the CAREC Institute’s activities should support policymaking and deliver tangible results. The Minister also stressed cooperation in border management, integrated digital trade systems, and information-sharing on climate risks. Referring to Pakistan’s CAREC chairmanship in 2027, he said the country would prioritize knowledge-sharing and promote cooperation with member states, the CAREC Institute, and the Asian Development Bank in economic corridors, trade facilitation, digital connectivity, and climate resilience. He offered to share Pakistan’s Single Window experience and said Pakistani universities and research institutions would be encouraged to join CAREC’s regional knowledge network. Ahsan Iqbal emphasized that the Institute should translate shared knowledge and research into practical action and effective policies.