The Silk Road Initiative

The Silk Road Initiative (SRI) is a regional programme under UNDP administration involving China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The programme's overarching goal is to help the region meet the Millennium Development Goals of reducing poverty and promoting growth and equality.

More specifically, and inspired by the ancient Silk Road trade traditions, the Initiative aims to enhance regional cooperation and development. It targets three main areas: trade, investment, and tourism.

The SRI is establishing sustainable capacity building mechanisms, through various working-level activities, using the concept of 'seed money'. As a result, it is hoped that the Silk Road region may continue to reap rewards, and to further develop and prosper.

The Silk Road Initiative works to:

Improve policy and legal conditions for trade
Initiate and attract investment
Promote and attract tourism

The SRI is currently in its second phase. As the Initiative matures, it will inevitably broaden its geographical reach, encompassing ever more of the Silk Road region.

Trade

A favourable trading climate is essential to Central Asia's economic growth, yet significant barriers still exist. The SRI works to abolish remaining barriers, harmonize trade facilitation procedures, and promote constructive policy-making and legal environments.

Mayors' Dialogue

Mayors' Forums, symposiums and regional roundtable discussions form part of the Initiative's working-level activities for trade promotion.

Investment

2006 will see the launch of the Silk Road Investment Forum. The forum's main objectives are to attract international and regional investment, and to encourage region wide public private partnerships (PPPs). Starting in Xi'an, China, the Investment Forum will be held on a rotating basis in different Silk Road countries. The main UN partner for Investment is the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

Tourism Development

In collaboration with the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), the SRI encourages the development of value-added tourism and ecotourism. A "UN Silk Road City Award" is currently taking shape, whereby participating cities must fulfil criteria for sustainable development and cultural preservation. The SRI also hopes to establish a "Silk Road Visa" to further attract and facilitate tourism to the region.

Major Partners