Day One of the International Conference on “Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Trans-Regional Integration”


On 11th September 2019, Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad in collaboration with Area Study Centre, University of Peshawar organized a two days International Conference on “Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Trans-Regional Integration”. The aim and focus of the conference was to facilitate the collective exploration of various opportunities and commonalities that can become the foundation for multilateral regional initiatives, which in turn will lead to strong connectivity and diplomatic relations.
It was the first initiative on this level, an international conference was held at the University of Peshawar. The Conference was mainly organized by Area Study Centre (Russia, China & Central Asia) with support extended by Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad.
The first session of the day first was attended by 07 ambassadors, five Central Asian states, Ambassador of China, Second Sectary Russia Embassy Islamabad, Council General, Iranian Consulate and a host of scholars from the same countries. Besides DG, CPEC, Executive Director (CPEC) Center Islamabad, Director Board of Investment, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and a host of local and national scholars participated.
The keynote addressed was delivered by Prof. Dr. Shabbir Ahmad Khan, Director. The Director welcomed the participants and highlighted the importance of regional integration and regional connectivity and termed the conference quite significant at this regard. Chinese ambassador highlighted CPEC and BRI as source of economic development and regional connectivity. He termed CPEC as Geo-Economic project purely focusing on Economic activities.
The 1st session of the first day, ended off with brief and important speeches of the Ambassadors of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Iran, Iran and Russia.