We are pleased to share this follow up to our initial “CAMCA Going Global” post with an exciting development in the continuation of the CAMCA Network’s engagement with the UAE business community. Reflecting on a roundtable session led by network members at Investopia 2025 in Abu Dhabi this February, Tamar Kekenadze, Managing Director of the CAMCA Regional Forum, has authored a special piece for us outlining the unique investment opportunities within the CAMCA region. Under the leadership and vision of CAMCA Network member, Nazira Beishenalieva, an accomplished delegation of 35 regional business professionals and policymakers came together at Investopia 2025 to present on “Harnessing Regional Synergies for Global Investments,” representing the CAMCA Network as an official partner of this major international event.
The CAMCA Network is most grateful to David Tabet of Investopia and the Ministry of Economy of the UAE for this valuable opportunity to share CAMCA’s message on Investopia’s global platform.
CAMCA at Investopia 2025: The Region Investors Can No Longer Ignore
For decades, the region of Central Asia, Mongolia, the Caucasus and Afghanistan (CAMCA) has been framed in one of two ways: as an emerging market or as a contested piece in the global geopolitical chessboard.
Despite its vast economic potential, strategic location and rich natural resources, the CAMCA region has remained underrepresented in global investment discussions.
That narrative is changing. Investors can no longer afford to overlook CAMCA.
- Opportunities are opening now.
- Global markets are looking to CAMCA for solutions in fintech, energy and trade.
- The region is no longer just emerging – it is essential.
"We are the heart of the [Eurasia] region. Historically, we’ve been at the crossroads of trade and politics. Today, we are positioning ourselves at the center of global investment," said Zabihullah Ziarmal, an Afghan CAMCA Network member.
CAMCA Network x Investopia: A Powerful New Partnership
The CAMCA Roundtable at Investopia 2025 marked a defining moment – an exclusive session convening business leaders, policymakers and investors for a high-impact discussion on economic integration, digital transformation and investment opportunities.
Nazira Beishenalieva, a CAMCA Network member from the Kyrgyz Republic, and David Tabet, Advisor to the UAE Minister of Economy, opened the session with remarks setting the stage for a productive dialogue, firmly positioning CAMCA at the center of global investment conversations.
"Investopia gave us the platform, but we brought the energy, the vision, and the solutions," Beishenalieva emphasized. "This is about more than investment – it’s about putting CAMCA on the global economic map."
Moderated by Saule Imanova, a CAMCA Network member from Kazakhstan, the roundtable explored the region’s most compelling economic opportunities, with discussions focused on actionable strategies for sustainable growth.
Key Themes from the CAMCA Roundtable
- Fintech & Digital Economy – How CAMCA is emerging as a leader in financial innovation.
- Energy & Critical Minerals – Unlocking the region’s untapped wealth for global markets.
- Investment & Infrastructure – The cross-border projects shaping CAMCA’s future.
One of the most significant comments during the roundtable came from Enkhtur Lkhagvajav, a CAMCA Network member from Mongolia, who highlighted Mongolia’s pivotal role in the global sustainability shift:
"Mongolia will become a sustainability champion in the 21st century as the world moves to renewable energy," Lkhagvajav stated. "With our vast solar and wind potential, we are not just participants in the global energy transition – we are leading it."
This statement prompted further discussion on how CAMCA nations can leverage renewable energy investments, regional energy cooperation and sustainable development goals to propel long-term growth.
The discussion then shifted to the broader strength of the CAMCA Network, as Sarkhan Hashimov, a CAMCA Network member from Azerbaijan, underscored the collective expertise within the network:
"We have all the expertise in the CAMCA Network to guide you in any endeavor within our region," Hashimov said. "Whether it's business, policy, or investment, we have the leaders, the knowledge, and the networks to make things happen."
His words reinforced CAMCA’s role as a hub of professional excellence and a key gateway for global investors.
At Investopia 2025, CAMCA was not just part of the conversation – it was driving the conversation.
What Captured the Spotlight
- Fintech & Digital Transformation – CAMCA is rapidly emerging as a fintech powerhouse, with cross-border digital finance, mobile banking and e-commerce innovations across the region.
- Critical Minerals & Green Energy – Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Afghanistan hold vast reserves of lithium, rare earth elements and strategic metals essential for global supply chains. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan are spearheading a renewable energy revolution, attracting billions in foreign investment into solar, wind and hydro projects.
- Trade & Connectivity – CAMCA is not just landlocked – it’s a global trade corridor, linking China, Europe, the Middle East and South Asia.
"We are no longer just emerging," said Aman Tentiyev, a CAMCA Network member from the Kyrgyz Republic. "We are essential."
Critical Minerals: CAMCA Fellows Make the Case for the Region
One of the most talked-about topics at Investopia 2025 was the future of critical minerals. As the world races to secure lithium, rare earth elements and other critical minerals for the green economy, CAMCA has emerged as a strategic supplier:
- Mongolia is a major source of copper, lithium and rare earth minerals, all crucial for the global energy transition.
- Kazakhstan is rapidly scaling up rare earth extraction, positioning itself as a key supplier to Western markets.
- Afghanistan is home to an estimated $1 trillion in untapped natural resource wealth including many critical minerals.
The CAMCA Network was at the center of these conversations.
"For years, our critical minerals were overlooked. Now, with global demand soaring, CAMCA is becoming the go-to supplier for the next generation of clean energy and technology," said Aman Tentiyev.
Iskander Akylbayev, a CAMCA Network member from Kazakhstan, emphasized the growing interest from the U.S., EU and Gulf States in CAMCA as an alternative to Chinese-controlled supply chains. "This isn’t just about resources – it’s about partnerships. If investors want a reliable, responsible, and long-term supply of critical minerals, CAMCA is where they need to be."
Beyond Investopia: What Comes Next?
- Regional Networking Events – Building on the momentum from Investopia, the CAMCA Network will continue discussions on these important topics, including at the upcoming 2025 CAMCA Regional Forum in Mongolia.
- Investment & Business Acceleration – Several CAMCA Network members are already in discussions with investors eager to fund projects in fintech, green energy and critical minerals.
- A Long-Term CAMCA x Investopia Collaboration – The CAMCA Network and Investopia are committed to strengthening their partnership, ensuring CAMCA remains at the forefront of global investment discussions.
Nargis Dustmatova, a CAMCA Network member from Uzbekistan, captured the spirit of the moment: "We didn’t just come to Investopia to talk. We came to create real, lasting change for our region."
The Future is Here: CAMCA’s Defining Moment
For too long, CAMCA has been overshadowed by larger economic powerhouses – China, the EU, Russia and the Middle East. But the tides are turning. With a combined GDP exceeding $1.2 trillion, a booming digital economy and foreign direct investment surging across multiple sectors, CAMCA is shifting gears.
Saudi Arabia recently invested $3 billion into solar energy and battery infrastructure in Uzbekistan. The reason is obvious: investors see what we see – this region is the future of renewable energy.
As Enkhtur Lkhagvajav put it: "Looking at the region, we have some of the best conditions for solar and wind power in the world. And now, investors are finally realizing it."
At Investopia 2025:
- CAMCA Network members proved they are the next generation of economic leaders.
- The CAMCA Network built lasting partnerships with global investors.
- The world is finally paying attention to CAMCA – and this is only the beginning.
As Nuriddin Lafizov, a CAMCA Network member from Tajikistan, aptly observed: "The world is watching. It’s time for CAMCA to deliver."
We are proud to support and share updates on these unique initiatives of the CAMCA Network – led by the alumni of our CAMCA Fellowship Program which has been administered jointly by the Rumsfeld Foundation and the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute since 2008. We look forward to continuing the conversation on these important topics at the upcoming 2025 CAMCA Regional Forum hosted over June 19th-20th in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. For more information on how to attend, please visit www.camcaforum.org.