Technical Support for the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor Coordination Platform

Following the publication of the EU-funded EBRD Study on sustainable transport connections between Europe and Central Asia in June 2023, attention and focus on developing further transport connectivity between Europe and Central Asia began to feature prominently in all related discussions between the two regions, including at Ministers’ level. In line with the above, the European Commission organised the Global Gateway Investors Forum for EU-Central Asia Transport Connectivity in Brussels on 29-30 January 2024. One of the key objectives was to set up a process to coordinate the planning and development of sustainable transport connections along the Trans-Caspian Corridor. To manage this process, a consultation and coordination structure (the Trans Caspian Transport Corridor Coordination Platform) was launched in Astana on 12 June. It will be convened on a regular and voluntary basis. It will bring together the relevant like-minded donors, investors, stakeholders and regional governments involved in the implementation and operation of measures taken to further develop the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor. The main role of the Trans Caspian Transport Corridor Coordination Platform will be the promotion of the corridor and the coordination of efforts towards the implementation of priority projects in hard and soft infrastructure in Central Asia, with the long-term objective of “making the Trans-Caspian transport corridor a sustainable, safer and faster route linking Europe and Asia in no more than 15 days”. The work of the Trans Caspian Transport Corridor Coordination Platform will receive organisational and technical support hosted by the European Commission via this service contract. This support will entail (not exhaustive): - coordinating support to Platform participants, facilitating connections between public actors and possible investors; - providing back-office functions (drafting of documentation, minutes, proposals, concepts, organisation of the Investors Forum and ad-hoc events and working groups, etc.) and logistical support; - running a project database for the Corridor, including mapping, collecting and organising information on all projects; - identifying and mapping potential additional projects essential for achieving the objectives for the Corridor; - providing knowledge management and technical assistance; - providing organisation and logistics services for events organised by the Platform; - collecting and disseminating information on events relevant for the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor.