A new regional health roadmap for Central Asia sets out a five-year framework for countries to coordinate action on health systems, political leadership and investment. The second Roadmap for Health and Well-being in Central Asia, covering 2026 to 2030, is intended to move cooperation from planning towards implementation.
The document, known as CARM-2, builds on the region’s first roadmap for 2022–2025. It describes itself as a country-led and partner-supported platform for advocacy and investment, designed to complement national health strategies and wider regional health programmes rather than replace them.
Its three strategic objectives are to strengthen resilient health systems, keep health high on political agendas, and expand partnerships and resource mobilisation for delivery. The approach is framed around shared priorities where cooperation across borders may add value, while aligning support with each country’s own priorities.
Five areas for joint action
The roadmap identifies five priority areas: primary health care and public health; regional health security; climate and environmental resilience; maternal, child and adolescent health; and noncommunicable diseases and mental health. It also highlights pharmaceutical cooperation and digital health within the wider health-systems agenda.
For health services, the document points to stronger primary care and public health functions, more equitable access to essential medicines and health technologies, improved data and digital systems, and better readiness for emergencies. Preparedness includes attention to climate-related threats and risks that cross national borders.
The plan also treats governance as a practical condition for progress. It calls for health to remain a political priority and for stronger multisectoral decision-making, including coordination between health ministries and other sectors. Youth engagement, the empowerment of women and girls, sustainable health financing, and behavioural and cultural insights are described as cross-cutting enablers.
Coordination and delivery
CARM-2 organises implementation around three connected streams: technical collaboration and innovation; political dialogue and policy coherence; and investment mobilisation with better alignment among partners. The roadmap proposes a multi-level coordination structure led by a High-Level Standing Group, with thematic working groups, the regional health secretariat and partner platforms providing support.
A results-based monitoring, evaluation and learning framework is intended to track progress, capture lessons and allow the work to adapt as needs change. The document says an accompanying operational guide will spell out practical roles and processes and offer examples of possible advocacy themes and investment initiatives. Those examples are illustrative and subject to country interest and consistency with national priorities.
The roadmap sets a shared vision of a healthier, more resilient and equitable Central Asia, and presents regional solidarity, sustainability and shared responsibility as guiding principles. It links cooperation to universal health coverage, equity and human rights, while emphasising that stronger regional coordination should connect and reinforce existing national systems.
CARM-2 therefore establishes a strategic framework rather than reporting completed results or a guaranteed funding package. Its stated ambition is to align expertise, policy direction and voluntary partner support around common priorities during 2026–2030. How much of that agenda is translated into measurable change will depend on implementation by participating countries and partners.
In practical terms, the roadmap describes cooperation on shared standards, knowledge exchange and preparedness, alongside work to develop investment-ready regional initiatives. It also identifies coordinated partnerships, and where appropriate pooled procurement, as possible ways to support joint activity. These are mechanisms proposed by the framework, not confirmation that particular projects or financing commitments have already been secured.
