The focus of conference was on the opportunities created by BRI and CPEC regarding trans-regional integration. The main objective of the Conference was to deliberate upon and highlight the role of BRI and CPEC in prospective trans-regional integration of South, West and Central Asia, Russia and Western China. The scholars highlighted the significance of regional integration through BRI and CPEC. The scholars deliberated upon the prospects of inter and intra-regional integration and discussed the challenges thwarting trans-regional integration processes under BRI & CPEC. The conference was convened at Area Study Centre, University of Peshawar on 11th September 2019, with a spectacular presence of Central Asian ambassadors with Iranian and Russian federation envoys. The delegates vowed to collaborate intellectually for garnering impact of Chinese global projects through-out the region.
The Two days conference involving inaugural session, envoy sessions, and four research paper presentations sessions was sponsored by Chinese embassy Islamabad, Centre of Excellence for CPEC and assisted by Centre for global and Strategic studies, Islamabad. Ambassadors from China, Central Asian states, Afghanistan, Iran and Russia participated to discuss the significance of BRI for bringing peace, stability and prosperity to the region for improving the quality of life. Speaking on this occasion, Chinese ambassador His Excellency Mr. Yao Jing stressed that China want connectivity of the region through mutual agreed projects and non- confrontational strategies. Executive Director Centre of Excellence for CPEC Mr. Liaqat Ali Shah said that CPEC and BRI will boost economies of the region as regional business will have major share in the trade that is currently abysmally at 3 % in the region, and could follow EU intra –regional trade of 61% . Director General China Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pakistan Mudassir Tipu emphases that Peshawar being sister city of Urumqi has an important role to play in BRI and connectivity of Peshawar between western China and Central Asian States. The Vice Chancellor University of Peshawar Prof. Dr. Muhammad Asif Khan call upon participants that time has arrive to materialize connectivity with China and Central Asia as these regions are only 40kms away aerially from Himalayas and history to repeat it-self for mutual prosperity and exchange. On the occasion Professor Dr. Amir Khan also presented paper on “CPEC: a Gateway to Prosperity” emphasizing on more research evidence based planning.