Online International Workshop "Belt & Road Initiative (BRI): Robust Developments and Prospects for Regional Cooperation" jointly organized by National Institute for Security Studies, Mongolia and Pakistan Research Center for a Community with Shared Future (PRCCSF), Islamabad

On 5th September 2022, an online international workshop "Belt & Road Initiative (BRI): Robust Developments and Prospects for Regional Cooperation" was held. The online workshop was jointly organized by National Institute for Security Studies, Mongolia and Pakistan Research Center for a Community with Shared Future (PRCCSF), Islamabad.
The workshop commenced with the opening remarks by Mr. O. Mashbat, Director of the National Institute for Security Studies and Mr. Khalid Taimur Akram, Executive Director, Pakistan Research Center for A Community with Shared Future (PRCCSF), Islamabad. They welcomed the participants, highlighted the significance of BRI and discussed that how this grand project has connected the countries with effective Chinese policies.
The keynote speech was given by Ms. B. Indra, Executive Director, National Institute for Security Studies, Mongolia on the topic “Belt & Road: The Current Development of the Mongolia, China and Russia Economic Corridor”. She discussed in detail about the BRI program and China’s investment project in Mongolia. She stated that there is a need to complete some of the main projects between Russia-China- Mongolia like infrastructure economic development and communication. This will enhance BRI’s outreach for Mongolia as the country is the major partner in this grand project.
Dr. Mahboob Hussain, Professor/ Chairman, Department of History & Pakistan Studies, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan also gave a keynote speech on ‘’Historical Perspective of Belt & Road Initiative’’. He discussed the historical background of Silk road and its relevance in today’s time. He gave a detailed overview of the network of roads/trade routes and cooperative paradigms that have enabled to develop CPEC in Pakistan with the help of China. He also highlighted Pakistan’s position in the region and China’s outreach in the region cooperation. He also gave suggestions to counter issues and increase multilateral cooperation in various fields.
The panel discussion included Ms. L. Byambakhand, Institute of International Studies of Mongolian Academy of Sciences. She stated that China-Russia-Mongolia corridor is a great opportunity for cooperation and infrastructure development.
These three countries have been cooperating due to the initiative of President of Mongolia. She also highlighted about the significant meetings being held on the regular basis to provide an impetus to such projects. She mentioned some of the issues and presented solutions to counter them vis-à-vis the economic infrastructure development initiatives/corridors.
Ms. Maryam Raza, Deputy Director, Pakistan Research Center for a Community with Shared Future (PRCCSF), Islamabad presented her expert analysis on ‘’Significance of BRI in Regional Connectivity’’. She stated that BRI has many extended pillars now and building community with shared future for mankind is one of the main pillars of cooperation with China. She discussed in detail about the concept of regionalism and BRI in order to enhance broader connectivity in many sectors, including economic connectivity.
The online workshop amid a detailed question/answer series in which experts from Pakistan and Mongolia discussed their views and shared ideas for better economic and infrastructure connectivity under Belt & Road Initiative (BRI).