Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The ninth annual meeting of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in Samarkand is centered on sustainable development. Special attention is being given to road infrastructure, which is a key element for economic growth and social progress.

The session titled “Investing in Sustainable Roads for a Better Future” brought together experts from various countries, including:

- Mari Kiviniemi, former Prime Minister of Finland and Chair of the Board of Vaasa University

- Runze Yu, Investment Officer in the AIIB’s Public Sector Client Division

- Sharizbon Shakirov, Environmental and Social Specialist at the Ministry of Transport of Tajikistan

- Mary Ann Rose Somera, Head of Business Development for the Asia-Pacific Region at ORIS Materials Intelligence

- Manuel Bernard, Senior Investment Officer at AIIB

- Jamshid Tursunov, Chairman of the Road Committee of Uzbekistan

- Jasurbek Choriyev, Deputy Minister of Transport of Uzbekistan.

Key issues regarding the sustainable development of road infrastructure were highlighted, including:

- Evaluation of alternative approaches to road construction

- Implementation of climate-resilient technologies

- Asset management adapted to climate change.

Runze Yu, an investment specialist at AIIB, emphasized: “Increasingly frequent disruptions to essential services due to climate change underscore the need to create resilient road infrastructure. We need to incorporate adaptation and mitigation measures into our management plans and leverage technology to enhance the durability and resilience of road infrastructure.”

Jasurbek Choriyev, Deputy Minister of Transport of Uzbekistan, noted: “Effective and sustainable transport infrastructure is essential for landlocked countries. We are investing significant resources into modernizing our transport networks to support population growth and economic diversification.”

Mari Kiviniemi, the former Prime Minister of Finland, stated: “The next decade will be crucial in addressing road network issues and ensuring economic resilience. Mobilizing financing to combat climate change will be vital for accelerating the development of reliable infrastructure.”

In conclusion, the session participants highlighted that the discussion of sustainable road solutions is closely related to the overarching theme of the AIIB’s ninth annual meeting—building sustainable infrastructure for all.

The session demonstrated a commitment to creating long-term and reliable solutions for future generations.