Chief Negotiators’ Meeting on CAREC Trade and Investment Facilitation Partnership Agreement (CARTIF)
On 20 November 2025, the CAREC countries adopted the Bishkek Ministerial Declaration, officially launching negotiations on the CAREC Trade and Investment Facilitation Partnership Agreement (CARTIF). This marked an important milestone in CAREC countries’ efforts to advance regional economic cooperation and integration in trade and investment.
Following the virtual Inaugural Meeting on the Negotiations for the CARTIF Agreement held on 11 March 2026, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) held the first regional meeting of CARTIF Chief Negotiators on 8 May 2026 to provide an opportunity to review the negotiation structure and modalities, ensure readiness for the launch of negotiations, and prepare for the CARTIF Zero round of negotiations.
CARTIF Chief Negotiators and country delegations expressed strong support for the proposed negotiation modalities and emphasized their readiness to begin the Zero-Round negotiations in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, on 3 June 2026.
Event Materials
List of Participants
News Release (ENG)