Central Asia Fund, Under Umbrella of MCDF Finance Facility, Officially Launched

Ministerial officials from China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, together with Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) President Jiayi Zou and Multilateral Cooperation Center for Development Finance (MCDF) CEO Zhongjing Wang, launched a dedicated fund for promoting high-quality connectivity infrastructure investment in Central Asia at a ceremony in Doha, Qatar on 29 September, on the heels of the 2026 AIIB Annual Meeting.

The Development Cooperation Fund for Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and China (Central Asia Fund) was established as a dedicated funding window under the umbrella of the MCDF Finance Facility for which AIIB is the Administrator. China has made its commitment to the Central Asia Fund. Member countries of the fund were represented at the launch ceremony by Ms. Junhong Chang, Assistant Minister of Finance, China, Mr. Sulton Rahimzoda, Chairman, State Committee on Investment and State Property, Tajikistan, Ms. Kanykei Talantbek kyzy, Lead Specialist, Department of International Financing for Green Economy and Tourism, Ministry of Economy and Commerce, Kyrgyzstan, and Mr. Akzhol Urazalin, Deputy Director, Department of International Economic Cooperation, Ministry of National Economy, Kazakhstan.

In opening remarks, President Zou and CEO Wang expressed strong support for the fund as a mechanism for fostering sustainable connectivity infrastructure projects in Central Asia. They described how the fund seeks to help the region’s countries capture growth opportunities as a bridge between Asia and Europe by improving transport corridors, energy systems, transboundary water resources management, trade flows, and green and resilient development through partnerships.

“Today's launch represents more than the establishment of a new fund,” said CEO Wang. “It reflects a shared commitment to strengthen regional connectivity, deepen cooperation, and support sustainable economic development in Central Asia and beyond.”

The fund will provide additional grant resources to the MCDF Finance Facility and earmark funds for project preparation, capacity building, and information-sharing activities in the region. The aim is to help address its unique infrastructure challenges, including landlocked geography, climate vulnerability, debt management difficulties, and accelerating connectivity demand.

Accredited MCDF Implementing Partners operating in Central Asia can access grant resources to prepare connectivity projects or help develop countries’ capacity as approved by the MCDF Governing Committee. The MCDF Collaboration Platform can also access resources from the fund to scale up its work in the region disseminating International Financial Institution standards and good practices for high-quality connectivity infrastructure investment.

“With sustained collaboration and investment, Central Asia can continue its transformation from a landlocked to a land-linked region, strengthening connections between Asia, Europe, and the Middle East,” CEO Wang noted.

Mr. Zhongjing Wang, CEO, MCDF