Washington, D.C. — In lieu of the annual CAMCA Regional Forum, throughout the week of June 15th-19th, the Foundation, in partnership with the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute and the CAMCA Network, hosted e-CAMCA Week 2020, a fully virtual offering for the CAMCA Forum community including live video events, new publications and additional content delivering the latest updates on the CAMCA region during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
Video addresses included a welcoming address from H.E. Erzhan Kazykhanov, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the U.S.; remarks from Lisa Curtis, Deputy Assistant to the President and National Security Council Senior Director for South and Central Asia; as well as remarks from the leadership of 2021 Forum partner, the Astana International Financial Centre, Governor Kairat Kelimbetov.
"For many years, the CAMCA Forum has provided participants with the great opportunity to engage with prominent scholars and leaders in the CAMCA region." - Amb. Erzhan Kazykhanov
The week’s daily live events began with keynote remarks followed by Q&A with Robert Zoellick, former President of the World Bank, and then featured panel discussions throughout the remainder of the week focused on the topics: Post-Coronavirus Pandemic Challenges and Opportunities for the CAMCA Region, Afghanistan: What Comes First? Peace, Trade or Both Together? and CAMCA Network Report on Intraregional Trade: Growth Potential? The panels featured speakers from across the globe representing varying sectors offering a wide range of perspectives and insights for participants. Find a full list of the week’s panelists here.
Original publications released included articles and commentaries from insiders and experts across a variety of sectors, including several talented members of the CAMCA Network reporting with fresh insights directly from the region. E-CAMCA Week’s major publication, “Post COVID-19: Challenges & Opportunities for the CAMCA Region,” provides a comprehensive collection of brief commentaries on the short and long-term impacts – economic, political and social – of the COVID-19 pandemic on the CAMCA region. Contributors to this unique publication, curated for the CAMCA Forum community, include more than 20 experts and professionals from over 10 countries representing think tanks, business, academia, government and more.
E-CAMCA Week 2020 also featured a Virtual Business Expo and regional entrepreneur profiles. Find a full list of all of the e-CAMCA Week publications here.
With the successful conclusion of e-CAMCA Week, the Forum organizers are looking forward to being able to gather in person at the next CAMCA Regional Forum. The 2021 Forum will be hosted in June of next year in Almaty, Kazakhstan and official dates will be released later this summer. Sign up at www.camcaforum.org to receive further updates.
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Media Contact:
Sarah Tonucci
Executive Director, Rumsfeld Foundation
(202) 944-1304
sarah@rumsfeldfoundation.org