Keeping up with digital connectivity: from Marrakech to Samarkand
What does the private sector need to accelerate digital connectivity in Central Asia? What are the challenges and opportunities? How can we support the digital development of the private sector in a cyber-safe and secure manner? How can the EU Global Gateway support those needs? What lessons have we learned from other regions where the Bank operates and beyond?
Biodiversity finance: how to turn investing in nature into a sustainable business
The session will bring together policy makers, business leaders, civil society and financiers to share their experience in promoting biodiversity conservation and recovery. Panellists will provide their vision on the necessary elements to create markets in order to accelerate investments in nature.
Connectivity in an uncertain world
Integration and resilience are core transition qualities that the EBRD seeks to promote through investment and engagement in its regions. This high-level panel will bring together Governors from EBRD shareholder countries and other prominent speakers to discuss connectivity in an increasingly uncertain world. The session will address the geopolitical challenges resulting from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has had a significant impact on central Asia and all EBRD regions. It will cover both the immediate impact on agriculture, food, energy security and affected populations and the longer-term implications for the delivery of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and a greener, more inclusive digital future.
Board of Governors Opening Session
The Opening Session of the Board of Governors will take place on the afternoon of Wednesday, 17 May. The Opening Session, which provides an overview of the key themes of the Annual Meeting, will include addresses from the Host Country Guest of Honour, the Chair of the Board of Governors and the EBRD President.
Our food: go green and digital with the private sector
Given the ongoing climate and food security crisis, the agri-food sector in Central Asia must avail of all opportunities to develop and contribute to global value chains, but with consideration for its distinctiveness and comparative advantages.
Digital dividends: is technology the key to financial inclusion?
The rapid influence of digitalisation in recent years has brought new avenues for financial inclusion in emerging markets.
Central Asia: on the road to sustainable energy
Some of the most carbon-intensive in the world, Central Asian electricity systems are facing the dual challenge of energy security and climate change. The region’s abundant solar and wind potential calls for combined efforts by policymakers, investors and financiers to scale up renewables as a cornerstone of the regional energy transition.
Mobilising private capital via financial markets in Central Asia: rising to the challenge
Opening local financial markets to international capital while ensuring economies remain resilient to global pressures is a fundamental challenge. Last year, emerging economies were reminded of the vulnerabilities associated with investment flow volatility as surging global interest rates and the dollar’s rapid appreciation led to the withdrawal of a record US$ 70 billion from emerging-market bond funds in the first three quarters of 2022.
Uzbekistan investment outlook
In 2022 the EBRD invested almost US$ 900 million in 26 projects in Uzbekistan, making it the leading recipient of its funding in Central Asia for the third year running. This is recognition of the country’s growing investment attractiveness and favourable regulatory environment, which have allowed the Bank to finance a number of major projects, including some of the largest renewable energy projects in the region.
War and post-war economics: lessons for Ukraine
Policymakers and investors need to be aware of the short and long-term challenges Ukraine faces during the war and those that the country will have to deal with in the post-war period.
