Islamabad hosts conference on “Decade of CPEC & and Belt & Road Initiative”

A two-day International Conference on “Decade of China Pakistan Economic Corridor and Belt & Road Initiative from vision to reality kicked off today in Islamabad to mark the 10- year celebration of CPEC.

The conference is being organized by the Ministry of Planning Development & Special Initiatives in collaboration with Embassy of China. The CPEC being a strategic principal component of BRI focuses on infrastructure development and Socio-economic cooperation between China and Pakistan.

The conference aims to bring together policymakers, scholars, practitioners, and other stakeholders to exchange ideas and insights related to economic, social, environmental, and geopolitical impacts of CPEC and BRI. Chinese Charge d Affairs Pang Chunxue and Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal will be the chief guest at the occasion.

The conference will explore opportunities for enhanced cooperation, sustainable development, and inclusive growth in the subsequent phase of CPEC. Under the conference, various session will be held in which key policymakers will have a broad overview of the CPEC.

The panel discussions will be held under key themes by the expert speakers who will present their research findings, share best practices while engaging in depth discussions with the audience.

Under the conference different technical sessions will also take place which include Socio-Economic impacts of CPEC, Prospects of Regional Connectivity through Gwadar Port, Opportunities for Industrial Relocation and Export ; Green Technologies and Development; Security and Geopolitical Implications; Innovation, Technology and Global Value Chains; Challenges to Regional Connectivity and Integration, Artificial Intelligence and Labour Market Dynamics.

It is noted that since the government came into power in April last year , the CPEC projects have been revived which remained shelved by the previous government. Prime Minister Shahbaz already reiterated his full commitment to complete the CPEC projects and in this regard.

Over the decade, the two countries have developed strong bonds in diverse fields and call themselves “Iron Brothers’.

The CPEC effectively helped Pakistan in improving its energy security as well as transport networks from north to south and laid foundation for a resilient infrastructure including ports, airports, roads, and railway. Recently, the Planning Minister visited China to mark the 10 year celebrations of the CPEC. It is noted that Chinese authorities have already declared Ahsan Iqbal as Mr CPEC. Out of 12 Joint Cooperation Committee meetings, nine meetings of the JCC have co-chaired by Ahsan Iqbal.

Similarly, under the conference Souvenirs will be awarded to both Pakistani and Chinese companies who participated in the CPEC project, and a special coin has been prepared by the Planning Ministry. Special documentaries over CPEC will be showcased during the event to mark the 10-year celebrations.