The VII Forum on Development of Brain Centers of CAREC (Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Institute) was held in Urumqi, People's Republic of China (PRC). Vusala Jafarova, chief advisor of the Strategic planning division of the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication also participated in the forum.

The Forum, dedicated to the topic "Application of digital technology for sustainable economic development", consisted of seven sessions on the role of digital technologies in managing sustainable economic growth. The region's digital readiness, digital infrastructure and favorable business environment, e-commerce and digital finance development, investments, labor market, digital management and startup ecosystem issues were discussed here.

The forum brought together about 120 participants from think tanks, universities, state institutions, private sector and media of the region.