EAD in collaboration with ADB convened CAREC Senior Official Meeting (SOM) on July 19-20, 2016 at Islamabad. The meeting was participated by the high level delegations from 10 member countries; Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, People’s Republic of China, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Georgia (as Observer). The meeting was   supported by 6 multilateral institutions; Asian Development Bank (ADB), United Nations Development Program (UNDP), International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank (WB), Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).  Altogether 96 persons arrived at Islamabad to attend above meeting from CAREC countries, Georgia and Multilaterals who left on 22 of July 2016. 

The CAREC Senior Officers meeting discussed updates on four priority sectors of CAREC; Transport, Energy Trade and Trade Facilitation, the draft for formulation of CAREC Railway Strategy 2030 and Road Safety Strategy for endorsement in the forthcoming Ministerial Conference scheduled to be held in October, 2016 by EAD.  The expected deliverables of 15th Ministerial Conference include; CAREC Railway Development Strategy (2016-2030), Launching of the regional food safety initiative, Astana Bishkek Corridor (ABC Investment Framework); Mid-term Review of CAREC 2020; Signing of Agreement for Establishing CAREC Institute, Georgia membership in CAREC and Railway Strategy for CAREC. 

The Prime Minister of Pakistan will inaugurate the high level CAREC Ministerial Conference on 26 October, 2016 in Islamabad, to be attended by the Ministers of the CAREC countries.