EDB Academy Holds Workshops in Tashkent on the Mechanisms of Multilateral Development Banks
The Academy of the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) held two workshops examining the mechanisms and opportunities of multilateral development banks (MDBs) for strengthening the economy of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The events were timed to coincide with the official opening of the EDB representative office in the Republic of Uzbekistan (18–19 May 2026) and brought together more than 50 representatives from government agencies, the business sector and the media.
Participants explored the following topics:
- MDB governance and operating systems
- MDB mandates and objectives
- The role of MDBs in economic growth and regional integration
- Sovereign and non‑sovereign financing mechanisms
- MDB investment instruments: loans, debt securities, trade finance, equity participation
- Non‑investment instruments of MDBs
- Long‑term development prospects for MDBs
- Interaction between government bodies and international financial institutions
- The EDB's role as a leader in non‑sovereign financing in the Eurasian region
The programme combined speaker sessions, group workshops and networking.
Evgeny Vinokurov, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board – Chief Economist of the EDB, presented an overview of the MDB system, discussing their role in the global economy, mandates and objectives, as well as opportunities for member states.
"Multilateral development banks play an important role in supporting the long‑term goals of states – from infrastructure modernisation to attracting investment and developing human capital. Our task is to help representatives of government bodies, business and the media better understand how MDBs work, what instruments they offer, and how these opportunities can be used for the benefit of Uzbekistan's development," noted Evgeny Vinokurov.
During the session dedicated to MDB instruments, Alexey Kuznetsov, Head of the Research Department at the EDB, spoke about the features of investment instruments and explained in detail how the "non‑investment triad" – technical assistance, analytics and training – contributes to capacity building in member states.
Anton Malakhov, Head of the Centre for Analysis of International Finance at the EDB, presented a database of non‑sovereign financing by international financial organisations in the Eurasian region (11 countries, more than 2,300 operations since 2008, over 50 parameters per operation). Using the Republic of Uzbekistan as an example, he showed the structure of approved financing by sector and by MDB. He also reviewed ten fundamental trends in non‑sovereign financing in the region over the past 15 years.
The events encouraged active interaction among participants and with experts. During group work, participants analysed the role MDBs can play in achieving national strategic goals.
Feedback from the workshops highlighted the relevance of the topic and the practical applicability of the knowledge gained.
Additional Information:
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) is a multilateral development bank investing in Eurasia. For 20 years, the Bank has worked to strengthen and expand economic ties and foster comprehensive development in its member countries. By the end of December 2025, the EDB’s cumulative portfolio comprised 326 projects with a total investment of US $19,6 billion. Its portfolio consists principally of projects with an integration effect in transport infrastructure, digital systems, green energy, agriculture, manufacturing and mechanical engineering. The Bank adheres to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and ESG principles in its operations.
The EDB is implementing three mega-projects as part of its 2022–2026 Strategy: the Eurasian Transport Network, the Eurasian Agricultural Goods Distribution System and the Central Asian Water and Energy Complex.
The EDB Media Centre:
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