Special theme: Regional Sustainable Development Cooperation in Central Asian Countries: Comparing regional integration for sustainable development in ASEAN and CAREC economies

This paper developed a framework of digital and sustainable regional integration for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Central Asian Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) regions with the objective to chart progress in achieving higher regional integration and offer future policy options. Trade and investment integration, including regional value chain integration, can be advanced through digital transformation of trade and investment in the CAREC region. Greater facilitation of mobility for people, substantial regulatory cooperation in digital trade, trade in information and communications technology goods, and development of e-commerce platforms are essential for sustainable development in the region.