From 3 to 6 May 2026, the 59th Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) was held in Samarkand under the theme “Crossroads of Progress: Advancing a Connected Future”. The forum brought together more than 4,000 participants from over 100 countries, including representatives of governments, international financial institutions, the private sector, and expert communities.

Against the backdrop of growing geopolitical fragmentation, disruptions in global supply chains, and increasing competition over energy, transport, digital infrastructure, and critical minerals, the discussions revealed how development policy is increasingly merging with geo-economic and strategic considerations.

Particular attention was devoted to major regional initiatives announced during the forum, including the Pan-Asia Power Grid Initiative, the Asia-Pacific Digital Highway, new critical minerals financing mechanisms, and the expansion of regional transport connectivity. Discussions also highlighted Uzbekistan’s growing role in Eurasian transport and energy integration, including the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway and cross-border electricity cooperation.