Ulaanbaatar, June 8, 2026 /MONTSAME/. The 23rd meeting of the Transport Sector Coordinating Committee of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program is taking place on June 8-9 in Ulaanbaatar.

Opening the two-day meeting, Minister of Road and Transport Delgersaikhan Borkhuu said that over the past 25 years, the CAREC Program has become an effective platform for expanding regional economic cooperation, improving transport connectivity, facilitating trade, and implementing major infrastructure projects.

He noted that amid the ongoing transformation of global trade, supply chains, and transport flows, Central Asia is gaining renewed strategic importance. Geopolitical shifts, supply chain disruptions, and changing transport patterns are increasing the need for countries to establish more reliable, resilient, and diversified transport networks.

“As a landlocked country, Mongolia views the CAREC corridors as a vital gateway for foreign trade and transport, as well as an economic lifeline. The Government of Mongolia is pursuing its goal of becoming a ‘Transit Mongolia’ by leveraging its strategic location between Asia and Europe and developing into a regional hub for transport, trade, and services,” the minister said.

Participants will discuss the midterm review of the CAREC Transport Strategy 2030, planned activities for 2026, regional transport modeling, supply chain analysis, and the operation of transport and logistics centers. Sectoral sessions are also being held on cross-border transport, civil aviation, road and railway transport, water transport, logistics, road safety, smart mobility, and digital transformation.

During the meeting, Mongolia presents reports on “Establishing a Unified International Motor Transport Insurance System at the Regional Level” and “Road Safety and Road Asset Management in Mongolia.” Participants are exchanging views on regional cooperation, transport policy reforms, and sustainable development, while discussing the implementation of priority transport programs among CAREC member countries and future cooperation and investment opportunities.

Mongolia has established the legal framework necessary to conduct direct international road transport operations with 25 countries. Under its “Transit Mongolia” policy, the country is also working to strengthen cooperation within the Mongolia–Russia–China Economic Corridor and position itself as a key overland transport hub in Central Asia.

The ministry noted that Mongolian transport operators accounted for only one percent of TIR transport operations in 2016, but their share had increased to 47% by 2025, with the number of shipments rising from 56 to 4,711.

In the railway sector, Mongolia is implementing the Zuunbayan–Khangi railway and the western and eastern railway corridor projects to create new routes for export and transit freight. Efforts are also underway to expand the capacity of strategic border crossings such as Zamiin-Uud and Altanbulag and to facilitate transport and logistics operations.

In civil aviation, Mongolia is pursuing an air transport liberalization policy and preparing for direct flights to the United States and European Union countries. Airports in Khovd, Umnugobi, Khuvsgul, and Bayan-Ulgii aimags are also being upgraded to accommodate direct international flights.

Minister Delgersaikhan further announced that Mongolia has formally submitted to the United Nations its proposal to establish a unified international transport insurance system across the Asia-Pacific region, aimed at reducing regional transport risks and ensuring the reliability of cross-border transportation.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the CAREC Program. As the host country of CAREC activities in 2026, Mongolia is organizing the meeting in Ulaanbaatar. The event has brought together representatives from the program’s 11 member countries, the Asian Development Bank, international financial institutions, development partners, and stakeholders from the transport and logistics sectors.

Published Date:2026-06-08