The Conference consisted of three related events: (i) the Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) on 23 September, (ii) the Investment Forum on 24 September, and (iii) the Ministerial Meeting on 25 September.

The Conference carried the long standing theme until 2020—“Linking Connectivity with Economic Transformation in CAREC”—adopted by the Senior Officials’ Meeting in June 2014. The Conference objectives were to: (i) exchange views on recent economic developments that have affected the CAREC region and the challenges ahead, (ii) review the progress of cooperation in the CAREC Program since the last Conference in 2014, (iii) consider the Energy Strategy and Work Plan 2016–2020, (iv) consider new sector initiatives on road safety and common agenda on modernization of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures for trade, and (v) promote private sector’s awareness of, and attraction to, investment opportunities in the CAREC region.